In today's New York Times, the only article on Iraq is Richard A. Oppel Jr. and Stephen Farrell's "Iraqi Soldier Deliberately Killed U.S. Soldiers, Iraqis Say" which runs on A9. This is the story noted yesterday. From the article, we'll note this:
The investigation, by American and Iraqi authorities, may renew longstanding questions about the loyalties of Iraqi forces, who are supposed to assume control as American troops withdraw. The Iraqi Army remains dominated by Shiites and Kurds, many of whom are suspicious of the allegations of Sunni Arab soldiers. Many Sunnis, in turn, fear that the Kurds and Shiites are faithful only to their factions and are habitually hostile to Sunni Arabs.
Nearly five years and that's how the White House 'plan' works out. The reporters note that the US military, in December, noted "small arms fire during dismounted combat operations" despite the fact that the suspect "tried to fllee, but he was apprehended after being identified by other Iraqi soldiers" which tells you that even when the release was put out on the December 26th deaths, it was known what had happened.
Here's yesterday's US military press release on this topic:
Two US Soldiers killed during a combined Iraqi Army and CF operation in Ninewah province on Dec. 26, were allegedly shot by an Iraqi Soldier.
For reasons that are as yet unknown, at least one Iraqi Army Soldier allegedly opened fire killing Capt. Rowdy Inman and Sgt. Benjamin Portell, both of whom were assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. The incident occurred as US and Iraqi Army Soldiers were conducting operations to establish a combat outpost. Three other US Soldiers and one civilian interpreter were wounded in the attack.
The Iraqi Soldier who allegedly opened fire fled the scene but was identified by other Iraqi Army personnel and was then apprehended. Two Iraqi Army Soldiers are now being held in connection with the incident.
Coalition and Iraqi investigations into the incident are underway.
The reporters also mention the death announced in this Saturday military press release: "A Multi-National Division – North Soldier died from injuries sustained from an improvised explosive device detonation near his vehicle while conducting operations in Diyala Province, Jan. 5." Today,
The US military announces three more deaths [PDF format warning] today: "A Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldier was killed and three others wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle during combat operations in southern Baghdad on Jan. 6."
The US military announced today, "A suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest after being subdued by three heroic Iraqi Army Soldiers outside the neighborhood advisory council building killing all three soldiers and two civilian bystanders in the Karadah district Jan. 6. . . . Four Iraqi civilians were also wounded in the attack."
New content at The Third Estate Sunday Review today:
Truest statement of the week
Truest statement of the week II
A Note to Our Readers
Editorial: 2008 already doesn't look good
TV: The Dead and Missing Persons
Roundtable
Roundtable on the media
Wack job of the week
2007 Archives
Theft of the week
Highlights
On the last, I want to highlight Cedric's "They were stars" and Wally's "THIS JUST IN! WHEN THE CAMERAS AND MICROPHONES VANISH!" (joint-post) from Saturday about life in Iowa after the news crews leave.
The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
richard a. oppel jr.
stephen farrell
the new york times
the third estate sunday review
the daily jot
cedrics big mix
