WP, pg1: (Najaf ) Cemetery Fight Haunts Some U.S. Troops

[DeepModem Mom]

Cemetery Fight Haunts Some U.S. Troops
'It Doesn't Feel Right Sometimes,' Soldier Says of Eerie, Perilous Battle in Najaf

By Karl Vick
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, August 11, 2004; Page A01

NAJAF, Iraq, Aug. 10 -- Bats flapped out of crypts, startling soldiers creeping through the cemetery with guns up. Graves opened beneath their combat boots. And an old enemy displayed a new professionalism, darting in clearly practiced moves between tombstone and mausoleum to stalk the Americans from above ground and below.

In the battle to control one of the world's largest graveyards, U.S. Marines and soldiers say they are coping with a lot, including lingering regret. The vast cemetery in Najaf is sacred to Shiite Muslims, perhaps 2 million of whom lie buried in miles of desert adjoining the shrine of Imam Ali, son-in-law of the prophet Muhammad.

Soldiers involved in the fighting described how many of the most recent graves are marked by photos, which crumble when U.S. forces shell the cemetery walls to reach the militiamen hiding within.

"Wives, daughters, husbands," said Sgt. Hector Guzman, 28, of the 1st Cavalry Division's 5th Regiment. "You just know you're destroying that tomb."

The Houston native shook his head. "It doesn't feel right sometimes."...


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53557-2004Aug10.html

[JSJ]

1. are the troops getting spooked by the ghosts...

...they created? Ooooh, scary. They will be...haunted for the rest of their lives by the lethal violence they committed against the men, women and children Iraq.

[Dover]

2. Everyone participating in this holocaust is already the walking dead

These people are a trained militia," said 1st Lt. Ronald C. Krepps of the 1st Cavalry, who added that one mausoleum contained photos of Mahdi fighters performing battle drills.

"More professional," said Miyamasu, the 5th Regiment battalion commander whose troops provided Najaf reinforcement. "I don't mean to give them too much, but they're good. These guys really make us work to kill them, but in the end, they're dead."

I guess the civilians made much easier targets.

[0007]

3. Bring the troops home and stop this insanity goddamnit!!

{Deleted}

[Wright Patman]

4. I've noticed the military

likes to label whomever they are mowing down--be it men, women or even small children--as the "bad guys."

Perhaps one day, if there is ultimate justice after this life, they will stand before a higher authority and hear the real truth. They are the "bad guys."

[DeepModem Mom]

5. Sad story, unusual reporting -- posted very early this a.m.

[daleo]

6. Sure, it is like a horror movie

But then the whole invasion and occupation has been a horror movie - the BFEE just lucked into some jazzier special effects for this scene.

[saigon68]

7. Wait til these guys get home like McVeigh and get dissed by the civilians

We will then Reap the rewards

[spinbaby]

8. Why do we need to control a graveyard?

Of what strategic importance could this possibly be? Am I missing something here?

[0rion]

9. It's the only way to approach the Mosque without driving thru the.....

center of the city and getting shot up like Somalia.

I don't like it.

They're going to attack the Mosque and all hell will break loose.

[merh]

10. Holy Moly - I didn't realize that they were planning an

attack light that.... Are the commanders idiots? Attacking a mosque, guerilla combat in a sacred cemetary?

:cry:

[daleo]

12. I understand that this isn't just any cemetery

I thought another thread had mentioned that 2 million Shiites had been buried here over the years - it is the largest cemetery in the world. I think it has great significance to Shiites to be buried here. So, this is like tunneling through the catacombs of Rome to attack the Vatican, in terms of religious symbolism.

[lostnfound]

13. "Like tunneling through catacombs of Rome to attack the Vatican"

Uggh. That is disturbing.

And what is even more disturbing is this thought: Any chance that the Dominionist/Fundies in the White House -- who think that Armageddon is around the corner -- are excitedly imagining this cemetery battle to be another sign that 'it's happening now'..the forces of good and evil doing battle in the valley of death..etc.?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

11. STOP THE INSANITY BRING OUR TROOPS HOME!