Samarra latest no-go zone for U.S. troops, Iraq trying to end standoff the

[Nambe]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP)

Over the past few months, insurgents in Samarra have deposed the U.S.-picked leaders and put to death people suspected of collaborating with them, making the northern Iraqi city the latest no-go zone for Iraqi and American troops.

With preparations beginning for Iraq's nationwide general election, scheduled for January, the attacks in Samarra and other cities where officials cannot safely travel could present a major barrier to carrying out a credible poll.

``It's true that we can't go into Samarra very often,'' said U.S. Army Capt. Scott Synowiez, an intelligence officer at a 1st Infantry Division base on the outskirts of the city. ``Whenever we go into Samarra we do get attacked, without a doubt.'' ..

Samarra, an ancient city of 250,000 known for its 9th century spiral minaret, is controlled by about 500 fighters from three well-known Sunni Muslim rebel groups, according to city residents and the U.S. military. ..

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[leftchick]

1. That makes about five large cities that are "no go" and

pretty much the rest of Iraq as well. The only place they move freely is Baghdad in the Green Zone. What a mess...