Rebels rocket US consulate in southern Iraq

[Judi Lynn]

Rebels rocket US consulate in southern Iraq

September 12, 2005, 10:44 gmt

BASRA, Iraq (AFP) - Iraqi rebels launched a rocket attack overnight on the US consulate in the southern city of Basra as US and Iraqi troops tightened their grip on the northern insurgent bastion of Tal Afar.

Al-Qaeda-linked groups had pledged deadly revenge attacks -- including the threat of chemical weapons -- over the Tal Afar assault which involves some 10,000 Iraqi and US troops.

Four 107mm Chinese-built rockets slammed into ousted dicator Saddam Hussein's former Basra palace which houses both the US and the British consulates, a Western diplomat said.
(snip)

The attack was the latest in a series of attacks which have increased tension in an area that has remained relatively free of the deadly insurgency engulfing much of the rest of the country.
(snip/...)

http://www.bakutoday.net/afps/english/shared/int/050912084418.vgzzz9u1.html

[pinniped]

1. Why don't they ever report any of the good news????

Oh, here's some good news:

--"There were no casualties or injuries, and no significant structural damage," according to the US embassy.--

[shadowknows69]

2. four 107mm rockets did no significant structural damage?

why do i find that hard to believe.

[PhuLoi]

3. 107mm rockets don't do much damage re their explosive

payload. The damage done comes from shrapnel; pieces several inches long, about one inch wide with serrated razor-sharp edges. The 122mm rocket does the real damage via its explosive capability.

[shadowknows69]

4. I stand corrected

weapons master PhuLoi :-) thanks for the info.

[geckosfeet]

5. Who are the "rebels"? Are these insurgents or are they transitioning

the terminology? How do they know they were Iraqi rebels?