Saddam Hussein's sons captured?

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by RhondaS
p.s.s. Hi Dan.

And hello to you too, Rhonda. Nice to see you again, great talking with you the other day. Stay cool.

Dan

 

[charlie,nj]

from USAToday...

Monday night

Iraqi source tips U.S. military about the whereabouts of Saddam Hussein's sons.

Tuesday

8:45 a.m. Iraq time (12:45 a.m. ET): A small force of U.S. troops arrives at a residence in the northern city of Mosul and is denied permission to search it. Troops withdraw.

10 a.m.:About 300 troops and 25 vehicles return. U.S. forces ask those inside the house to surrender but are met with small arms fire. Firefight breaks out, including Kiowa helicopters firing rockets.

3-4 p.m.:Operation ends, and bodies of four males are removed.

Late evening:

U.S. Central Command confirms that two of the dead are Saddam's sons




PS – it looks like Saddam’s own cousin who owed the house…was the informant.

 

[RhondaS]

I caught portions of the military press briefing that was televised this morning. It was stated that the 101st Airborne entered the building 2 (maybe 3) times and were met with "small arms fire" from people on the 2nd story. The "small arms" were believed to be AK-47s.

After the Humvee mounted rockets were used, they entered again (I believe this was the 3rd entry), and were still fired upon by 1 person from the 2nd story.

My question, is an AK-47 really considered small arms? I know nothing about them. Aren't they assault rifles? Rapid fire? What kind of damage do their bullets cause?

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by RhondaS
My question, is an AK-47 really considered small arms? I know nothing about them. Aren't they assault rifles? Rapid fire? What kind of damage do their bullets cause?

Everything you ever want to know about the AK-47:

http://www.ak-47.net/

I have no first hand knowledge of the thing, but if I understand correctly it's the cold war era Russian equivilant of the M-16. It's now listed on the Kalashnikov site as the most used weapon in the world. I'm assuming it's automatic and it's bullets do similar damage to the M-16. How comparable they are, I have no clue. As for defining small arms, in Central PA an M-16 or AK-47 would hardly be small arms, but I think in war that's a term hard to pinpoint. I'd think anything a single person could hold would constitute "small arms."

 

[wdwoldtimer]

I read in one report that the Iraqis were the ones that escalated it beyond what was initially a stand-off with small arms fire between the two sides (yes, shooting the AK-47s or whatever derivative they were using would be "small arms" fire). They fired an RPG (Soviet rocket propelled grenade) at the Americans, at which point we unleashed the heavier firepower.

 

[Grog]

My question, is an AK-47 really considered small arms?

Yes. Small arms are basically any firearm (pistols, rifles, SMGs) which can be carried and used by an individual soldier.

 

[Nikole]

Hmmm The Iraqi people want proof.

How do you think they should prove it?

Distribute photographs?

Have Tariq Azziz who helped identify them do a video tape (w/or without the bodies?)

Or just place the bodies somewhere central in baghdad?

I mean HOW short of letting everyone view the body do you PROVE that pictures aren't doctored, that no one is lying?

 

[Mermaid02]

Put the bodies on display! I say let the people file past them- touch them if they want to- spit on them if they like- maybe even....... I'll just censor myself.

 

[Patrick IL.]

Good point Nikole, I believe I read today Rumsfield said photos would be released. Anything can be manilutated though. I think the simple fact of how Iraqi's want solid proof shows how terrified they are that thier nightmare is not truely over from the regime.

 

[Nikole]

I'd like to think that too Patrick. Of course they could be looking at the US with distrust too..........

Mermaid.....I rather agree with your thinking. My only fear would be those who still support saddam making it an even bigger issue.

 

[Mermaid02]

I know what you mean Nikole, but how else can you convince the people these demons are dead? They were so terrorized I'm sure they thought NOTHING could kill the animals!