U.S.: Base Hit By Iranian-Type Rocket

Attack On Largest Base In Iraq Linked To Iran; Ahmadinejad Rejects Link To Shiite Militias

(AP)  A fatal attack launched two days ago against the headquarters garrison of the American military in Iraq was carried out using a 240 mm rocket - a type of weapon provided to Shiite extremists by Iran, a U.S. general said Thursday.

One person was killed and 11 were wounded in the "indirect fire" attack Tuesday against Camp Victory, which includes the headquarters of Multinational Forces-Iraq.

The attack was overshadowed by congressional appearances by Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker.

But such an attack with a sophisticated weapon against a nearly impregnable compound - far less vulnerable than the Green Zone in the heart of the capital - sends a strong message to the Americans that nowhere in Iraq are they safe - even in the nerve center of the U.S. mission.

It represents a major confrontation between the U.S. and armed Shiite groups the Americans insist are supported by Iran.

Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner said the rocket was launched from a populated area in the Rasheed district of west Baghdad, which he said was infiltrated by breakaway factions of the Mahdi Army militia of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Bergner said the rocket was a type of weapon that Shiite groups "have received from Iranian sources in the past and used against coalition forces." A 240 mm rocket was fired against a U.S. base south of the capital in mid-August.

"The Iranian... rocket is the only 240-milimeter rocket found or fired in Iraq to date, and Jaish al-Mahdi is the only group known to fire that rocket," Bergner said, referring to the Mahdi Army by its Arabic name.

Displaying a twisted piece of shrapnel from the attack, he said military exerts had so far determined that its markings and manufacture were "consistent with" Iranian produced munitions.

"Can I hold up a piece of fragment today that has a specific marking on it that traces this back to Iranian making?" he said. "At this moment I can't do that, but explosive experts - as I said - are still analyzing all the different fragments that they have gathered."

Camp Victory, a huge area located near Baghdad International Airport, has occasionally come under fire, but attacks with such a large number of casualties and with such sophisticated weapons are rare.

Bergner would not say where the rocket hit and would not speculate what part of the base the insurgents were targeting.

In Washington, Petraeus said the U.S. military had "very, very clear" evidence of Iranian involvement in such attacks.

"It certainly has contributed to a sophistication of attacks that would by no means be possible without Iranian support," Petraeus said at a news conference Wednesday. "Rockets - very particularly 240-millimeter ... there's no question where they have come from."

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (at left, flanked by Revolutionary Guard commanders) rejected the congressional testimony by Petraeus and Crocker that accused Iran of interfering in its neighbor.

In an interview on Iranian state television, Ahmadinejad said the top U.S. officials in Iraq raised allegations of Iranian meddling solely because of the political debate within the United States over the war in Iraq.

"Iran has no need to interfere in Iraq. The Iraqi government and nation are close friends of Iran," he said.

Bergner insisted the U.S. had a "good sense" of the rocket's source - Iran - based on the color, recent manufacture and markings on fragments. He said Shiite extremist leaders under U.S. detention had acknowledged that Iranian Quds Force operatives were providing 240 mm rockets to Shiite militias.

Last month, al-Sadr announced a freeze of operations by the Mahdi Army to give time to reorganize the force, but Bergner said not all of the militia was following the order.

"There are indications that some of his followers are fulfilling that pledge of honor," Bergner said. "We have seen other indications of others who are not fulfilling the commitment he made. We know there are some that are not operating within the bounds of his guidance."

The military said the victims of Tuesday's rocket attack were a mix of American military personnel, other coalition troops and civilian contractors. The fatality was a civilian contractor from a third country, meaning neither American nor Iraqi, he said.

Also Thursday, the U.S. military said a joint three-day operation between Iraqi troops and U.S. Special Forces netted 80 prisoners and killed three suspects in the Hamrin Ridge and Diyala River Valley areas of eastern Iraq.

Among those captured were four suspected al Qaeda in Iraq terror cell leaders, the military said.

The U.S. said Iraqi troops also seized 40 AK-47 assault rifles and machine gun ammunition. More than 1,000 Iraqi soldiers took part in the operation, it said.

[civiltongue]

Iranian-type?? What does this mean? The general, in his own words, offers no solid evidence. Please, CBS, limit your headlines to facts.

[one_american]

Do we have any military commanders that are not insufferable fools?

Posted by FeelFree1 at 06:26 PM : Sep 13, 2007


Yes, we do. All of them, in fact, you insufferable fool.

[feelfree1]

Re: "Base Hit By Iranian-Type Rocket"

You know, the kind that fly, and contain explosives. It is clearly "linked" to Iran. This rocket is "believed" to have all the "hallmarks".

What a bunch of rubes! Do we have any military commanders that are not insufferable fools?

[bizzzz-2009]

The question isn''t whether we should leave Iraq. The question is whether we should leave Iran''s doorstep, knowing they are building a nuclear weapon, wants to destroy Israel and create a global Islamic government. Some of Ahmadinejad quotes:
1. "There is no truth on earth but monotheism and following tenets of Islam and there is no way for salvation of mankind but rule of Islam over mankind%u201D
2. "Anybody who recognizes Israel will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation''s fury."
3 "Remove Israel before it is too late and save yourself from the fury of regional nations."
4. "...As the Imam said, Israel must be wiped off the map."
5. "Israel is a tyrannical regime that will one day will be destroyed."
6. "Israel is a rotten, dried tree that will be annihilated in one storm."
IF WE LEAVE IRAQ, WE LEAVE IRAN. IF WE SURRENDER OUR TACTICAL ADVANTAGE (PROXIMITY), DEMOCRATS WILL SOLELY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ATTACK BY IRAN ON IRAQ, AMERICA OR ISRAEL. I HOPE THEY CAN LIVE WITH THAT.

[edintex]

Hummmmmmmm - I wonder where "seven-pesos" is?
I hope he is not locked up by GWB and (his buddy) D-i-c-k Cheney and hid in their secret chamber somewhere for claiming "nothing good comes out of the south." one too many times. After all - last time I checked - freedom of speech/expression is STILL allowed/protected by our Constitution.

Posted by Simplemind2 at 04:30 PM : Sep 13, 2007


Yeah, another President Bush conspiracy...right? Maybe CBS has finally sensored seven-pesos for all of the name calling and foul language in his comments.
Oh, but wait... President Bush must have infringed upon seven-pesos free speech rights by putting those words in his/her mouth...right?

[lars008-2009]

Franklin D. Roosevelt''s Infamy Speech
December 8, 1941/September 12, 2001
The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

[lars008-2009]

Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry

USA''s PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961

One ought never to turn one''s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein

[fascistusa]

The New World Order by HG Wells (1940).

You Idiots talk about Congress as though you have say in what our Government does.

You don''''t.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

[shingles1]

Hey, it''s a perfect week to tie everything in together - what with the anniversary of 9/11.
Mix in the "good news" in Iraq, our next war with Iran, the Pentagon''s release of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed''s review tapes, and of course 9/11...it''s a perfect storm of propaganda. Particularly when journalists don''t bother to fact check anything.

[lars008-2009]

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature, and has no chance of being free unless made or kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill

It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it. Robert E. Lee

A self-respecting nation is ready for anything, including war, except for a renunciation of its option to make war. Simone Weil

If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. Thomas Paine

Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realise that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events. Winston Churchill

One ought never to turn one''s back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

[lars008-2009]

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. Ben Franklin

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin

We make war that we may live in peace. Aristotle

It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war. John F. Kennedy

There''s a graveyard in northern France where all the dead boys from D-Day are buried. The white crosses reach from one horizon to the other. I remember looking it over and thinking it was a forest of graves. But the rows were like this, dizzying, diagonal, perfectly straight, so after all it wasn''t a forest but an orchard of graves. Nothing to do with nature, unless you count human nature. Barbara Kingsolver

They have not wanted Peace at all; they have wanted to be spared war -- as though the absence of war was the same as peace. Dorothy Thompson

There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy. George Washington

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. John Adams

[shingles1]

R_Lamprey, since US weapons are being used to kill Americans, we must invade ourselves!

[r_lamprey]

The Madhi Army militia also has 200,000 rifles and pistols that were lost by Gen. Patraeus''s command. I guess that means that Gen. Patraeus, the US Army, and the United States are supporting terrorism by this faulty logic. Maybe the militias just bought the rockets with the billions of dollars that have also been "misplaced" in Iraq. Bush is the one that put in place the Shia government in Iraq, so he shouldn''t be surprised that they are friendly to other Shia. These Iran accusations are just smoke to hide the incompetence of the Bush administration.

[Syndicate]

I''ll senond that.

[barberd3]

Just as soon as possible, we need to load those fragments on a Cruise misle, along with the conventional 1,500 lb warhead, and return them directly to Iran''s QUD headquarters. Ditto for any future IED or other weapon fragments originating in Iran.

[fascistusa]

The New World Order by HG Wells (1940).

You Idiots talk about Congress as though you have say in what our Government does.

You don''t.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

[clestes-2009]

You are welcome one and all.

FeelFree1

Yes, the rep held Congress since Bush was elected has made a complete hash out of doing their job and standing up to el stupido. They let him, led by Cheney, get away with robbing us of our rights and instigating an illegal war.

Since last year, the dem have held power, by a sliver. You think they should have stood up immediately and voted to cut funding.

Sorry bud, not going to happen. The American people have to be ready to support such a move and they were not and are not. The dems were putting political necks on the line with such a move. They are looking long term here. They know they need to stay in power and get more numbers so some of the bills they have wanted to pass, but have not been able to get through, they can force through if necessary.

[starleo146]

Posted by FeelFree1 at 01:42 PM : Sep 13, 2007

I wish I had enough room to post your whole post but I was afraid I would run out of room I want to comment and you will be shocked but a lot of your points were correct and you are a true independent and see both sides I am an Independent with leanings towards the democrats You are right the democrats should stand up in congress lets see how it goes and pray they learned something. I appreciate your post and we have to be honest and you were I cannot vote republican honest never has this country prospered voting republican. Republicans only care about big business and democrats care about people we just need to get better democrats to run and get the status quo out on both sides.

[lars008-2009]

don''''t waste your time. If the melting ice, cat 5 hurricanes, worldwide droughts, bizarre weather patterns have not convinced doubters, nothing will. Some people simply cannot face facts when those facts say they have been supid.

We have been stupid and it shows.
Posted by clestes at 01:29 PM : Sep 13, 2007

ummmm the ice is growing at the southern pole nancy... lol

there has been climate change throughout the planets existence nancy...

adapt or die like the dinosaurs...

hahahahahahaha

[feelfree1]

clestes,

Thanks for the discussion. Keep up the good work.

I will check back, if you would like to respond.

Until next time, take care.