From Deseret News archives:
Green Zone in Iraq is hit hard
And at least 61 killed amid surge in violence
Rockets and mortars pounded the U.S.-protected Green Zone, underscoring the fragile security situation and the resilience of both Sunni and Shiite extremist groups despite an overall lull in violence.
The soldiers with Multi-National Division-Baghdad were on a patrol when their vehicle was struck at about 10 p.m. in southern Baghdad, the military said. Another soldier was wounded in the attack.
Identities of those killed were withheld pending notification of relatives.
Navy Lt. Patrick Evans, a military spokesman, expressed condolences to all the families who have lost a loved one in Iraq, saying each death is "equally tragic."
"There have been some significant gains. However, this enemy is resilient and will not give up, nor will we," he said. "There's still a lot of work to be done."
Attacks in Baghdad probably stemmed from rising tensions between rival Shiite groups some of whom may have been behind the Green Zone blasts. It was the most sustained assault in months against the nerve center of the U.S. mission.
Iraqi guards opened fire on the vehicle but couldn't stop it because the windshield had been bulletproofed, said an Iraqi army officer. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not supposed to release the information.
Mosul, Iraq's third-largest city, about 225 miles northwest of Baghdad, has been described as the last major urban area where the Sunni extremist al-Qaida group maintains a significant presence.
In Baghdad, rockets and mortars began slamming into the Green Zone about sunrise, and scattered attacks persisted throughout the day, sending plumes of smoke rising over the heavily guarded district in the heart of the capital.
A U.S. public address system in the Green Zone warned people to "duck and cover" and to stay away from windows.
At least five people were injured in the Green Zone, a U.S. Embassy statement said without specifying nationalities. The zone includes the U.S. and British embassies as well as major Iraqi government offices.
Recent comments
We'll put up with some insane stuff from politics as long as its'...
DeLaval Milker | March 24, 2008 at 5:36 p.m.
To TMONEY,
Ha! I have to laugh when you say 5% of the Desret News...
Old Joe | March 24, 2008 at 4:02 p.m.
During the Vietnam days when the powers that be convinced people we...
Anonymous | March 24, 2008 at 11:41 a.m.
- Fuss over climate change cooling 12:10 a.m.
- Boylen encouraged after victory 12:10 a.m.
- Condemnation of capitalism is wrong 12:10 a.m.
- Letters: Moral code lacking 12:10 a.m.
- Letters: Every day Veterans Day 12:10 a.m.
- Letters: Sex education needed 12:10 a.m.
- Letters: Don't boost food tax 12:10 a.m.
- Letters: Vegas should conserve 12:10 a.m.
- Letters: Salaries questionable 12:10 a.m.
- Letters: Spend ourselves rich 12:10 a.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
207 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - Lobo suspended
171 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
127 - House passes health care bill
109 - RSL rallies to advance
102 - Prep football: San Juan vs. S. Sevier
102 - Thousands protest health bill
100 - Provo company innovating engines
98
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Making money is not a sin. Making money off people DYING because you make up...
Almost everybody thought Alabama would beat Utah. Also most BYU fans who have...
I didn't watch this one - wasn't available, but have to ask the question:...
Stop worrying about Dixie you got TV ready to send you home.....
your swagger back. Beat WYO and all of the sudden your going to destroy the...
Right where we want to be!..so much hype, Go Utes!..memo to tcu: be very...
I love the spirit and history that defines Galveston - nothing can ever take...
Do all you liberals ACTUALLY believe that making money is evil? If the answer...
So should they have been using Wide instead of Asiata all along?
Thank you lawmakers for standing up to an evil enterprise controlled by Satan...


