Civilians fired on by Iraqi paramilitary

[Hayashi]

How low can you get? British troops at Basra report that a couple of thousands of civilians attempting toleave the city were fired on from *inside* the city. They suspect it's Saddam's thugs ie the Fedayeen. The Brits tried to intercede but wasn't quite successful.

Here's the article from CNN:

Thousands of civilians trying to flee Basra Friday were fired upon by militia forces backing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, British military officials said. They told CNN's Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour that once the gunfire started, many of the civilians turned around and ran back into the city. It is unclear whether there were any casualties, according to British soldiers watching the ordeal unfold near a main bridge on the city's west side. Amanpour said it was exactly the kind of situation British forces had hoped to avoid because they do not want to get sucked into street fighting. An Iraqi prisoner of war being interrogated by British authorities said prior to "Operation Iraqi Freedom," Saddam had about 4,000 militia members in Basra, Amanpour said, but the POW told her about half of the militia members deserted their posts once the bombing started. British soldiers continue to fend off militia members and are trying to fight the irregular forces they believe are keeping civilians from leaving their homes. Originally, coalition troops had not planned on entering Basra unless invited to do so by the city's civilians. Over the past week, that has changed. British officials now say the objective now is to get humanitarian food and medical supplies into the southern Iraqi city as soon as possible.

[Azred]

You find this to be surprising? I don't--there are no depths to which Hussein will not stoop in order to maintain control over Iraq. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he ordered his troops to begin razing Baghdad simply to make the eventual reconstrucion of Iraq that much more difficult or shooting civilians at random out of spite.

[Cloudbringer]

I heard this story on several news stations last night. I think it's despicable, to say the least! Shooting at your own countrymen/women as they leave a city to find food and water? Very low and very desperate, I'd say.

[Timber Loftis]

Reminds me of Imperial Guard Commisars from WarHammer 40K.

[Bardan the Slayer]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Reminds me of Imperial Guard Commisars from WarHammer 40K.

Hey! Those scumniks should be glad to die in the Emperor's name!

[/warhammer40k references]

On a serious note, yes, i could well believe this. With any luck we'll be able to wipe the Fedayeen off the face of the map with as few civilian casualties as possible.

Actually, I heard some people say that when we take baghdad, there will be tens of thousands of deaths - Saddam supporters rooted out and slain by the populace in retribution for past crimes. It's not surprising that with such a cheery future ahead of them, the thugs are desperate enough to commit slaughter of innocents.

[Wutang]

It's only the more reason to end this despicable regime asap.

Not exactly great PR for the Iraq govt right now with this news.

I wonder how Iraq is going to explain that to the UN.

[Chewbacca]

Civilian deaths are sad, regardless of who causes them or the justifications for them.

Add up all the civilian and military deaths and you have a great reason why war should only be a last resort and for self defense.

[Hayashi]

Originally posted by Wutang: I wonder how Iraq is going to explain that to the UN.

Probably by dismissing the reports as "lies", "outright lies" or "propaganda".

[Iron_Ranger]

Originally posted by Hayashi: Quote: Originally posted by Wutang: I wonder how Iraq is going to explain that to the UN.

Probably by dismissing the reports as "lies", "outright lies" or "propaganda".
[/QUOTE] Or he could jsut ignore them like he has been doing the last decade.

[Cloudbringer]

Originally posted by Chewbacca: Civilian deaths are sad, regardless of who causes them or the justifications for them. Add up all the civilian and military deaths and you have a great reason why war should only be a last resort and for self defense.

Absolutely, but I find purposely firing on your OWN people to be reprehensible in the extreme.