Iraq War News
Rumsfeld fights fresh Iraq flak: "Embattled US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says American casualties in Iraq affect him deeply."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)



Fighting Erupts in Fallujah Stronghold (AP): "AP - U.S. Marines clashed with insurgents in the battered city of Fallujah on Thursday with warplanes dropping bombs and tanks shelling suspected guerrilla positions on a day when a first group of residents displaced by fighting were scheduled to return."

In Yahoo! News: Iraq



U.S. Re-Examines Security at Iraq Bases: "The U.S. military was re-examining security measures at bases across Iraq on Thursday, a day after saying an attack that killed 22 people at a camp near Mosul was likely carried out by a suicide bomber who may have had inside information."

In Kansas.com: Iraq



Opinion: Two Realities in Iraq: "Iraq, says CBS' Charles Wolfson, has both a deteriorating security situation and a growing willingness by Iraqis to support a new political system for their nation. Which will be more important on Election Day?"

In CBS News: Iraq Crisis



Iraqi FM in China for highest-level visit by interim government: "Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari arrived in Beijing for the highest-level visit to China by the interim Iraqi government since it was established in late June."

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq



ISF, MARINES CAPTURE 44 SOUTH OF BAGHDAD in CENTCOM: News Release



MARINES AIDING IN IRAQI INVESTIGATION OF MUHMUDIYAH BLAST in CENTCOM: News Release



2 Adults, 2 Children Killed in Samarra: "

From Reuters via the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) :

In the northern Iraqi city of Samarra four Iraqi civilians have been killed in two separate incidents.

A mortar round apparently intended for a US military base hit a house and killed a man and his child.

Another man and a child have died in shooting that followed a roadside bomb attack on a US patrol.

"

In Command Post: Irak



Suicide Bombing Kills 9: "

From Reuters via the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) :

Nine people have reportedly been killed and 13 wounded after a suicide bomber rammed a car into an Iraqi forces checkpoint south of Baghdad.

A National Guard officer at the scene says a suicide attacker drove his vehicle at high speed into the checkpoint, on the north-eastern entrance to the town of Latifiya.

Traffic was heavy at the time and the blast destroyed around five civilian cars.

He said National Guards and police manning the checkpoint, near the main road linking Baghdad to the south, as well as civilians were among the dead.

"

In Command Post: Irak



Car Bomb in Mahmudiyah: "

From the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) :

A car bomb has exploded in a town south of Baghdad, reportedly leaving many people dead or wounded.

Medical officials say the blast has occurred in Mahmudiyah.

The local hospital director says there are many casualties, but no further details are immediately available.

UPDATE : From the ABC :

…a fuel tanker blown up in Mahmudiya, also south of Baghdad, has reportedly killed at least five people and wounded 20 others.

The blast ripped through a predominantly Shi’ite district in the mainly Sunni Muslim town, where there are numerous stores and homes.

Local hospital officials say the tanker was rigged with explosives, but the US says that is not confirmed.

"

In Command Post: Irak



More Arrests in "Triangle of Death": "

From Reuters via The Australian :

US Marines have detained 43 suspects in a series of raids south of Baghdad, the latest in a sweep that has netted around 600 militants, the military said today.

Troops from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, backed by Iraqi security forces, rounded up 21 suspected insurgents around the town of Yusufiya, a rebellious stronghold about 40 km south-west of Baghdad.

In related searches in the nearby town of Haswah, Iraqi police and Marines detained 13 people.

Nine other suspects were seized in raids near the militant town of Mahmudiya, at the centre of what has been dubbed the “triangle of death”.

In the past five months, since Marines took over from Polish troops in the northern Babil province that runs south from Baghdad, more than 850 people have been detained, the statement said.

Of those, nearly 600 remain in prison.

"

In Command Post: Irak



US Soldier killed in Baghdad: "

From the AFP via The Australian :

A US soldier has been killed and two others wounded in a roadside bombing in western Baghdad.

”A Task Force Baghdad soldier was killed and two others were wounded when an improvised explosive device detonated in western Baghdad at approximately 8 am on December 23,” the military said in a statement.

"

In Command Post: Irak



Falluja residents returning home: "Iraqis return to their homes in Falluja for the first time since a US-led assault left much of it in ruins."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)



Doctors working around the clock to stabilize the wounded in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror



Kidnapped French journalists freed by insurgents in Iraq: "Sapa-AFP PARIS Two French journalists freed by insurgents in Iraq after a four-month kidnap ordeal were expected back in Paris yesterday to be greeted by President Jacques Chirac and given a rapturous...




[in Business Day]"

In The US News: Iraq News



in

December 20, 2004
Note to Harrison Ford
Amy K., who's husband is a Marine in Iraq, has discovered that Harrison Ford is slated to portray Marine General Jim Mattis in a movie about the Battle of Fallujah. Mr. Ford has had some typical Hollywood stances about the War on Terror which is disappointing considering the roles he has played. Who isn't a fan of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Air Force One, The Fugitive, Patriot Games, etc.?

Harrison Ford is to star in what will be Hollywood's first feature about the current Iraq war. Producers Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher have bought the option for No True Glory: The Battle for Fallujah, a non-fiction written by Slate reporter Bing West. The book is due to be published in May and tells the story of an assault on Iraqi insurgents in Falluja, from the perspective of US marines. Variety reports that Ford is already attached to play General Jim Mattis, in charge of the attack.




Here's what Harrison Ford had to say about the American led war in Iraq LAST summer. I especially like the line about everyone going for the big hit. Pretty omniscient isn't he?




Harrison Ford has voiced his concerns over the American-led war in Iraq. The veteran actor said armed conflict was not the solution to Iraq's problems. Speaking in the Spanish capital Madrid to launch his latest film, Hollywood Homicide, Ford also took a swipe at US gun laws and the 'big hit' nature of the country's film industry. Ford, 62, said, "I'm very disturbed about the direction American foreign policy is going. I think something needs to be done to help alleviate the conditions which have created a disenfranchised and angry faction in the Middle East. I don't think military intervention is the correct solution. I regret what we as a country have done so far." And, despite having starred in the original Star Wars trilogy, Ford also attacked Hollywood for making too many films more akin to "video games" than real life. He added, "It seems everybody is going for the big hit, for the most return." And although he has appeared in action films, he said America's liberal gun laws had greatly contributed to the country's crime problems.




Having had the honor of meeting General Mattis on more than one occasion, I can honestly say NOONE will be ever to capture that man's essence and personality. He is truly one of a kind.




Hopefully since Bing West is the author, the story will give a postitive perspective on the Battles of Fallujah that occured in April and November.




I, personally, intend to write a letter to Mr. Ford and ask if he's had a change of heart about his previous stance or if he just feels comfortable making money off the blood of United States Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and their families.

Regards,
Amy
























I'll post her letter to Harrison Ford in the Extended Section:

c/o United Talent Agency
9560 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Mr. Harrison Ford
c/o United Talent Agency
9560 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 500
Beverly Hills, CA 90212

December 18, 2004

RE: No True Glory: The Battle for Fallujah

Dear Mr. Harrison:

I read with interest your upcoming role as General Jim Mattis in the film No True Glory: The Battle for Fallujah.

My husband is a United States Marine proudly serving in Iraq. He has been there since February 2004. He was in a unit which provided support to the Marines actively engaged in battle both in April 2004 and November 2004. We are all proud of his duty to his country and the people of Iraq. Where one may disagree to the methodology of releasing Iraq from Saddam Hussein's grip, one should agree it was in the best interest of the Iraqi people.

I remembered hearing sometime last year that you had spoken in Madrid about your views of the current situation in Iraq. To wit, you were directly quoted as saying the following:

"I'm very disturbed about the direction American foreign policy is going," said Ford, with US post-war casualties having exceeded those during the actual conflict.
"I think something needs to be done to help alleviate the conditions which have created a disenfranchised and angry faction in the Middle East.
"I don't think military intervention is the correct solution. I regret what we as a country have done so far," said Chicago-born Ford, 62.
"It seems everybody is only going for the big hit, for the most return," said Ford.



Mr. Harrison, my question for you is this: Do you still feel the same way?

I don't believe that any person in good conscience could portray a man as incredible as General Jim Mattis (I do know him personally) and star in a film about these battles when they feel so strongly against the situation in Iraq. To make money off of the blood of Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and their families while holding their goals in contempt is the epitome of HYPOCRISY. I have been to funerals and memorial services for men who are much greater than a star who wants to go for the big hit, for the most return. They may not have their lives open to the public and millions of dollars, but their legacy will live on throughout the military and those who were fortunate enough to know them.

Should you decide to continue in your role as General Mattis, my advice to you is this:
Rethink your previous position. Listen to the men and women over in theatre who have made a difference over there. Come down from your Ivory Tower and congregate amongst the hoi polloi of the U.S. military. Maybe then you can get a better perspective of who we are and what we stand for. Right now, you don’t have a clue, except what you read in the paper.

And for the record, Mr. Ford: You are NO Jim Mattis.

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy