Thanks to galiel and Marisacat for posting re this from
Juan Cole:
Fighting Rages in Fallujah, Najaf, Karbala; 6 US Troops Dead, Hundreds of Iraqis
The US suffered 6 more combat deaths on Wednesday and Thursday. In a CNN interview retired General Barry MacCaffrey said that the task of the US is to regain control of Baghdad and restore its lines of communication in the South. He gave away a great deal. One may conclude that a) the US has lost control of Baghdad and b) the US communications and supply lines in the South have been cut. That is, a year after the fall of Saddam, the US faces the task of reconquering the country.
al-Hayat alleged that 300 had been killed in Fallujah and 400 wounded in the course of the US military operation there. It says that the Marines are fighting heavy, house-to-house battles supported by helicopters. It reports that the US succeeded in turning away an aid convoy from Abu Ghuraib. The US let in only a few trucks among the 60 that had shown up with food, water and medicine for civilians in the city.
More at the Agonist
Dutch troops have engaged the Shi'a in gun fights.
Fighting has resumed between Polish and Bulgarian troops and the Medhi army in Karbala.
Two US helicopters have been downed near Fallujah. And U.S. patrols have been hit by landmines in Al-Mikdadiya and Al-Kaim, near the Syrian border. Details soon . . .
Add your news and views as they become available...
Update [2004-4-9 18:6:14 by DemFromCT]: CNN reporting that 2 US soldiers are missing along with 'some civilian contractors' after the attack on a convoy earlier today. Dan Senor says US will not negotiate with potential kidnappers as a matter of policy.
Update [2004-4-9 20:16:3 by DemFromCT]: Scary discussion on WWIR (Gwen Eifel's reporter schmooze on PBS Fridays). Dan Balz speaking:
1. The Bush plan is that even if things go sour in iraq, it'll take his strong leadership to get us out of it. There's no Plan B.
2. Stop comparing Iraq to Vietnam. Start comparing it to Lebanon. And we're Israel.
3. We're not at a tipping point re Bush's perceived credibility. And Kerry doesn't benefit. Yet. But we're remarkably close to both
In the Times (UK):
David Gergen, who has advised Republican and Democrat presidents, said: "Right now, I do not think the American people sense we have a plan for how to deal with Iraq. It is giving the country a sense that we need to prevail, but also: what the heck are we trying to accomplish here now? Who are we trying to turn this over to? Who is the enemy? If we are going to be sacrificing American soldiers, how are we going to get out of this?"
Good questions all. I wish I had answers.