Car bomb rips entrance of US-led coalition HQ in Baghdad

[NNN0LHI]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040118/ts_afp/iraq_baghdad_blast&cid=1503&ncid=1478

BAGHDAD (AFP) - A powerful car bomb ripped the main gate to the headquarters of the US-led coalition in Iraq (news - web sites), claiming casualties among the large number of people lined up for work inside the Baghdad compound.

"People were waiting in front and they were injured," said Haider Mohammed, a passerby who was bleeding from head and leg.

"I was just passing by to work, and suddenly there was a large explosion. I don't know what caused it. I just heard this huge blast and I was injured."

A policeman outside the arched gateway to the symbol of US power in Iraq said a car on line to enter the citadel had exploded, sending shrapnel flying and possibly killing or wounding those people waiting to enter the palace grounds.

more

[bluestateguy]

1. Let's wait and see

Many of these explosions end up doing no harm at all, while others do.

[pinto]

2. MSNBC says at or near gates to coaltion headquarters and that

blast was big, felt a mile away...

[Nomad559]

20. At least 15 Dead

Edit - Video added

Suicide Car Bomb

[Newsjock]

3. off the AP wire

AP-ME GEN IRAQ BLAST
Strong explosion shakes central Baghdad
Eds: Blast rocks area around north gate to coalition headquarters, witnesses speak of casualties


BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A strong explosion believed to be from a car bomb ripped through the area near the main gate to the headquarters of U.S.-led coalition Sunday, and reporters at the scene could see several vehicles ablaze. Dazed witnesses spoke of casualties.

A coalition official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the blast occurred near the "Assassins Gate" to Saddam Hussein's former Republican Palace complex, now used as headquarters of the U.S.-led occupation authority.

Iraqis line up there every morning seeking access to the compound if they have business with coalition authorities.

[NNN0LHI]

4. CNN has live video on now. Looks very bad

Dozens of cars on fire. Many casualties on the ground.

[bluestateguy]

5. The conservative argument against the war

One could argue that we have done the job we were supposed to do in Iraq, Saddam and all of the leading Baathists are captured and there is not, and apparently never was, any danger to the US from WMD's. Hence, let's begin an orderly withdrawl, allow the Iraqis to rebuild their own country, limit ourselves to humanitarian aid and whatever the Iraqi citizens ask of us. Further occupation serves no US security interest.

I might not frame the argument this way, but it could be persuasive to some non-neocon conservatives.

[Guaranteed]

9. Well, yes, it makes sense now.

Hell, Kucinich could get a helluva boost using the same argument as the neo-cons (fuckin' A!!! weird), however, all this just doesn't make sense as far as us being in the middle of a war on terror (does anyone remember 9/11?) and actually defending our country. Why start a war of choice in the middle of the war on terror?

[Zhade]

54. A completely FALSE "war on terror", I might add.

A distraction and excuse to tighten control and consolidate power.

An endless war against an intangible fighting tactic.

In reality, a war on freedom.

[Guaranteed]

63. I know exactly what you mean.

I understand that the last people we should want in power when something like 9/11 happens is the Bush administration. But, what are we supposed to do when Al Qaeda kills 3,000 Americans? Don't we have to fight back (and here I'm referring to Afghanistan...certainly NOT Iraq)?

[IndianaGreen]

6. BBC: Explosion hits centre of Baghdad

Explosion hits centre of Baghdad

A large explosion, believe to be caused by a car bomb, has gone off in central Baghdad, with reports of casualties.

It is believed to have occurred in an area close to a former palace of Saddam Hussein, which is now used as an American military base.

It went off at about 0800 (0500GMT), a time of day when Iraqis wait for appointments with the US authorities.

A number of cars outside the palace are on fire, and witnesses report seeing a number of wounded people.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3407061.stm

[aquart]

10. Are they targeting Iraqis who need to see US authorities to survive?

Why?

[IndianaGreen]

13. This is war!

The war is still going on. Iraq never signed a surrender document.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[alcuno]

22. Oh for God's sake.

Can't you people give it a rest? There's no applauding going on here. People said last year that we were in danger of becoming Israel/Palestine and that's what it looks like. An horrific outcome is NOT the fault of those who said we'd be stirring up a hornet's nest.

[Zhade]

56. How about a little fire, Scarecrow? You know, for your straw man?

Give it up, "Dem" Dave. She's not happy US soldiers are dead.

Unlike some here, she protested to keep them HOME.

[demdave]

88. I have only restated what indianagreen had previously posted

If someone is ashamed of what they have posted in the past, perhaps they should give what they post more thought.

[JohnyCanuck]

18. Collaborators

Are they targeting Iraqis who need to see US authorities to survive? Why?

Presumably for the same reason the French resistance targeted their fellow citizens who worked with the Nazi invaders. They were regarded as traitors and collaborators with the enemy. Also by making it dangerous for Iraqis to work or cooperate with the US occupation forces, they increase the difficulty for the US invaders to maintain the occupation.

Not saying I agree with it, but I am not surprised that it is happening. If the dip-shit in the White House was really a president instead of a figurehead sock puppet he would have figured out that this would be the type of stuff you guys would have to contend with after the invasion. Instead he bought into the tales of the neo-con advisers and their predictions of Iraqis throwing rose petals at their "liberators."

[0rganism]

70. same reason our military killed ~10000 Iraqi civilians during the invasion

I'm sure the insurgents would have preferred to take out a lot of US authorities instead, but it's not so easy to aim explosives. Just ask the good folks dropping JDAMs on residential Baghdad last March.

[0007]

14. Looks terrible!

Hard to believe one car bomb this all this, huh?

[IndianaGreen]

15. CNN and Faux are broadcasting video from Baghdad

while MSNBC is showing bios of the rich and famous.

[pfitz59]

7. When you play with fire.......

Ya gonna get burned! Buck fush!

[Democrats unite]

8. Heres a link with some information.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3990109/

[VolcanoJen]

11. CNN calls it a suicide car bomb

CNN reports only wounded, no fatalities, although they acknowledge that witnesses report many dead Iraqis.

Here's the AP article:

Casualties Reported After Iraq Blast
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040118/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_blast&cid=540&ncid=716

[lostnfound]

89. Re: 'Suicide car bomb' -- the implication

is "why don't they use cruise missiles like real men?"??

[Guaranteed]

12. CNN saying witnesses report dead on ground nt

[Newsjock]

17. CNN: 15 Iraqis dead

according to U.S. officials

[alcuno]

19. Yes, but they are saying that the walls absorbed "90% of the blast."

Some "coalition source" actually said that. Well good for all the people inside the wall and to hell with the people outside of the wall. God I hate this.

[LiberalTexan]

21. Is this near the airport?

Does anyone know how I can get a map of Central Baghdad? I'd like to know where the complex is in relation to the airport. It's important to me. Thanks.

[Guaranteed]

23. I'm pretty sure the airport's on the southeast side of town

Most likely this bomb was in the center of town.

I'm about 80% sure on the airport placement. If you could get a map and see where the blast happened, you could get a good idea of the distance.

[alcuno]

25. It's the entrance to the CPA (the Green Zone) in central Baghdad

At an entrance used mainly by Iraqis called Assassin's Gate. Not near the airport.

[LiberalTexan]

29. one compound encompassess the airport......

I know there is a huge compound that encompasses the airport. It is several hundred miles squared. I just didn't know if the Republican Palace (how appropriately named) was included in that huge area... according to you it is not, as I understand.

Still, does anyone know how I can get a link to a map of central Baghdad? Especially a military one that might show which areas we officially control so that I might see where that huge area is near the airport that we control......? Thanks.

[alcuno]

36. I'll look, but the compound around the airport is miles from the

Green Zone. Saddam's Palace is inside the Greem Zone. Bush was out at the airport compound for Thanksgiving. Here's a link.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/iraq/maps/baghdad/front.htm

[LiberalTexan]

38. Thanks alcuno

I've got a personal interest in that area, if you know what I mean...

It would mean a lot if anyone could get me a map.

I'm six months pregnant and kind of stressed out about this....

[alcuno]

41. I posted a link to a map. It's above.

I'll be more clear for you. The airport is probably 20 miles from the Green Zone. Take care of yourself and I'll say prayers for you all.

[LiberalTexan]

46. Looks like there are two airports

One is called the Central Airport and Train station and one is called Saddam International Airport. The former is actually quite close to Saddam's Palace. Isn't this the compound that the news reports are talking about? I'm not trying to get myself worked up. My "reason for worrying" isn't physically there yet. It's just bothering me all these attacks that are starting to come on our compounds. It used to be on our moving troops and caravans. This is only going to get worse, I fear. And, technology will get better as more outside funding comes in.

[alcuno]

53. You're right. There is another airport.

It looks to be near the Green Zone but I don't think it's inside of it. This was obviously done to target Iraqis working with the US. I pray that this is over soon.

I wish you well with the baby on the way. Very exciting! Now that's the right kind of excitement.

[LiberalTexan]

39. Thanks alcuno

I've got a personal interest in that area, if you know what I mean...

It would mean a lot if anyone could get me a map.

I'm six months pregnant and kind of stressed out about this....

On edit: sorry, I don't know how this message showed up twice...maybe it's my "vibes" right now

[LiberalTexan]

83. Alcuno

If you read this again, I got more information. Sadly, the "reason for my stress" will in fact be at the city central airport....it's included in the Green Zone. I found that out last night after our posting exchange here.

I read a report last night that said little by little, we'll be pulling our troops out of this area. Only to let the Iraqi police take over in their cars that are outdated and don't run half the time not to mention that they are unarmed.

I'm just a little stressed today.

Thanks for your help with the map and all. I know I'll unfortunately have to use it again.

[TacticalPeek]

24. Bremer? Oh Bremmmmer? Captain, my captain?

[alcuno]

26. I think he's in DC right now.

[TacticalPeek]

31. After seeing him interviewed today

in a red R. Crumb tie, going into some DC door, the news voice said app "it was just a good time for him to come".

Heard that and got a feeling: duck.

[Zhade]

60. Isn't this the second time he's been gone during bombings...?

Or am I wrong?

[IndianaGreen]

62. I think Bremer reads Tarot cards

This is the second time in which he has flown to the US just before a major incident. I believe he was gone when the UN was blown to bits.

[RamboLiberal]

85. He was on vacation when the UN was bombed

just like his master. Only a couple of months in to the job and he already needed a vacation.

[Guaranteed]

27. Oh Captain, my Captain? Are you KIDDING?

That was some extremely biting irony, my friend. :)

[Guaranteed]

28. CNN: May be American casualties.

On edit: Possibly two US soldiers killed.

[VolcanoJen]

30. CNN: 2 US Soldiers Killed in Blast - reports

Early word from the on-the-scene reporter's military sources.

[IndianaGreen]

33. 18 dead now (CNN)

We know 15 Iraqis are dead.

[VolcanoJen]

61. 15 or 18 Iraqis dead?

Any confirmation?

God, what a horrible day this is turning out to be. :-(

[Cooley Hurd]

66. 16 Iraqis, 2 US DoD employees (civilians) dead...

[Nashyra]

34. They are not sure about US soldiers

Possible 2 US soldiers dead. This is unacceptable. Those poor people. We have got to get the UN in and get us out.

[IndianaGreen]

37. 28 wounded in total

1 US soldier and 2 US contractors among the wounded.

[TacticalPeek]

47. MSNBC says no confirmed US troop KIA yet.

Two US killed must be contract.

Initial reports etc.

[bluestateguy]

35. These reports are often retracted or downgraded

Let's hope it is this time.

[IndianaGreen]

42. Why don't you turn your TV to Faux, or CNN, or even MSNBC

and see for yourself how "safe" all of us have become since Saddam was captured.

The videos are horrible. Faux did show a clip of the wounded being brought to the hospital. Very grim!

[Zynx]

44. This is why we can not concede the Iraq issue to Bush.

Nominating someone who supported the war would do this.

[leftchick]

78. Not this time..... Much worse...

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D3C27AA5-4AFA-4640-9BAD-391FB118D099.htm

<Up to 25 people have been killed and 130 wounded in a powerful car bomb blast which ripped the main gate to the headquarters of the US occupation authorities in Baghdad. >

and we won't even know after today how many more of the wounded die..


<The military said its toll was not counting those people brought to local Iraqi hospitals.>

....because the US Military "doesn't do Iraqi bodycounts." :grr:

[Cooley Hurd]

48. CNN update - 2 US employees of the DoD dead in the blast...

...and 16 Iraqi citizens killed. Confirmed by CNN reporter. :grr:

[Guaranteed]

32. Should we be expecting these bombings every Sunday morning?

Is there some reason these bombers are picking Sundays?

[hadrons]

73. "reason these bombers are picking Sundays?" ...

Sunday morning whore-fest talk shows, the attacks will get lots of coverage

[TacticalPeek]

40. MSGOP has at least 18 Iraqi dead.

Spec on explosive, perps.

[IndianaGreen]

45. Dana Lewis reporting from Faux

is saying that there are still ambulances and fire trucks moving around. Humvees with speakers are driving around offering a $2,500 reward for any information on the bombing.

[TacticalPeek]

43. My guess, since its suicider(s?): Quedasymps.

Dead-enders confirming Rummy's 'confidential' assessment of FUBAR and nowhere to go.

Except for all the things that could go wrong, they had a sort of a plan, sort of.

[IndianaGreen]

49. 2 dead Americans

DOD personnel - confirmed!

[NNN0LHI]

50. MSNBC says 2 dead civilian contractors n/t

[LiberalTexan]

58. These civilians never seem to make the lists.....

We have lists of military that have died. We are so lacking the mainstream press that reports of how many casualties (read: injuries) that have taken place in Iraq. Nobody really talks about losing limbs and eyesight and worse... It's like if you didn't die, then you're okay. And, civilian casualties (not to mention Iraqi civilian casualties)....no one wants to mention those. I guess we are supposed to believe this war is so clean.

[Guaranteed]

67. 4 wounded. nt

[IndianaGreen]

51. Faux is now LIVE

from the North Gate.

[TacticalPeek]

52. MSNBC, reports from hosp/amb, many more wounded, few more dead

expected.

Bummer.

[TacticalPeek]

55. Tet came early this year.

CNN mentions this is probably the most heavily protected location in Iraq. Cf. US embassy Saigon. Bremer took an early chopper.

[TacticalPeek]

57. CNN, over 600 Iraqi police have been killed so far, many in friendly fire.

?!

[LiberalTexan]

59. I don't know how!

Most of them don't even have their own guns yet....

[Guaranteed]

64. The carnage CNN is describing is absolutely horrifying.

People incinerated alive inside their vehicles. That is an unspeakably terrifying way to die. I feel histrionic even mentioning it, this is so horrible.

"This is our due." -Dick Cheney

[maggrwaggr]

71. plenty of Iraqis died the same way when we bombed them

an eye for an eye is making all of Iraq blind certainly

[kentuck]

65. Bremer must have had intelligence about the oncoming attack...

and that's why he got his butt out of Baghdad. yes, I think he got out before another explosion???

[teryang]

77. Bremer doesn't have a clue n/t

[truth2power]

82. Didn't Bremmer get out

just before the last big attack? Seems like he always has a "heads-up".

[burrowowl]

68. Not to worry

Bu$h by declaring a war that is a crime is making the world safe from 'terra'. Bu$h has declared war on terra (earth, world, gaia, whatever).
But not to worry, tomorrow, Bu$hco is going to ask the UN to get the U$ out of the mess (U$ still owes dues, but given terra is scared sh*tless of U$, who knows what will happen.).
Quagmire! What quagmire!? (sarcasm)

[TacticalPeek]

69. CNN - 4 US civilians wounded.

[IndianaGreen]

72. Are we "safer" since Saddam was captured?

Today's carnage will pale in comparison to what is to come after Bremer turns the reins of power to a figurehead Iraqi government that will be compliant to US wishes.

[leftchick]

74. NPR Reporting 23 Dead Scores Wounded.....

Many of the wounded expected to die say hospital spokes person. Of course the ones who die from their wounds will never be reported after today. They also said: "Deadliest attack since the capture of Saddam"..... Puleeeese! I am so sick of these qualifiers in their reporting deaths. Dead is DEAD!!! The blood is on chmpass*'s hands, no one elses.... :grr:

[spinbaby]

75. Oh look, it's Saddam's fault

From the yahoo article:

"The Governing Council blamed the 'heinous crime' on terrorists allied with Saddam.

"'This is yet another stigma on the foreheads of the mass grave regime and its terrorist allies inside and outside (the country), who have no value for sacred things or human lives,' the council said in a statement read by al-Kafai."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040118/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_blast&cid=540&ncid=716

[leftchick]

76. "mass grave regime"....

sounds like bushco* to me.....

[are_we_united_yet]

79. OK Question

How is Saddam continuing to coordinate these attacks?

Must be through his lawyer.

[teryang]

80. Attack seeking "publicity?"

This is the insight of a Colonel interviewed at the scene. Just televised on MSNBC. Ridiculous.

[markses]

81. This is the SECOND attack on A Coalition HQ this weekend

On Friday, according to the NY Times story on the Bradley attack, insurgents attacked the Coalition HQ in Hilla. Here's the story:

From the NY Times article on the Bradley attack:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/18/international/middleeast/18IRAQ.html

On Friday morning, insurgents attacked the south-central headquarters of the American-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Hilla, about 60 miles southwest of Baghdad, killing one Iraqi and wounding several others, American authorities said in a statement. The Americans gave no other details of the attack.

Also on Friday, saboteurs blew up a pylon supporting a high-voltage line leading from the north-central town of Beiji to Kirkuk, plunging Kirkuk into darkness. Since the summer, insurgents have been particularly active around Beiji, focusing their efforts on destroying oil pipelines from the oil-rich region around Kirkuk. As a result, Iraq has so far been unable to export oil from the area through a pipeline to Turkey.

---snip---

If I was in the Baghdad "Green Zone," I would be hunkering down for some serious shelling through the course of the week. The insurgents have obviously made it a priority to pound away at the CPA HQs. If I was in CPA HQs or regional CPA offices around the country, I would also be watching the approaches very carefully. This is scary stuff - these folks don't stop once they set their minds to something.

[imax2268]

84. Reuters Has video of it...

Looks pretty bad...some of the Iraqi's speaking are not translated...other than that...really disturbing video...

http://www.reuters.com/

[ignatius]

86. More blood on Bush and Blairs hands. When you open

Pandora's box the evil takes on a life of its own. Blood begets more blood, death begets more death.

Please let 04 bring an end to this madness.

[Barrett808]

87. Deadliest Vehicle Attacks in Iraq

Deadliest Vehicle Attacks in Iraq
By The Associated Press
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040118/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_blast_glance

Some of the deadly vehicle bombings in Iraq (news - web sites) since the war began March 20. President Bush (news - web sites) declared major combat over May 1.

_Jan. 18: Suicide car bombing near main gate to U.S.-led coalition's headquarters in Baghdad kills at least 18 people.

_Jan. 17: Roadside bomb explodes near Baghdad, killing three U.S. soldiers and two Iraqi civil defense troopers. U.S. death toll reaches 500 with bombing.

_Jan. 14: Car bomb explodes in front of police station in central town of Baqouba, killing driver and two civilians.

_Dec. 31, 2003: Car bomb rips through restaurant holding crowded New Year's Eve party, killing eight Iraqis, wounding 35.

_Dec. 14: Suspected suicide bomber detonates explosives in car outside police station in Khaldiyah, west of Baghdad, killing at least 17, wounding 33.

_Nov. 22: Car bombs hit two police stations northeast of Baghdad, killing at least 12 Iraqi bystanders.

_Nov. 20: Truck bomb explodes near Kurdish party office in northern oil city of Kirkuk, killing five people, wounding 30. Local officials blame Islamic extremists linked to al-Qaida.

_Nov. 12: Suicide truck bomber attacks headquarters of Italy's paramilitary police in southern city of Nasiriyah, killing more than 30 people — including 19 Italians.

_Oct. 27: Four suicide bombings target international Red Cross headquarters and four Iraqi police stations in Baghdad, killing 40 people, mostly Iraqis.

_Oct. 9: Suicide bomber drives Oldsmobile into police station in Baghdad's Sadr City district, killing nine bystanders.

_Aug. 29: Car bomb explodes outside mosque in Shiite Muslim holy city of Najaf, killing more than 85 people, including Shiite leader Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir al-Hakim.

_Aug. 19: Truck bomber strikes U.N. headquarters in Baghdad, killing 22, including top U.N. envoy to Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

_Aug. 7: Car bomb explodes outside Jordanian Embassy, killing 19, including two children.

[leftchick]

90. "It could have been Much Worse" : Military Spokesperson....

on CNN just now! :eyes:

[grasswire]

91. 20 dead, sixty injured

that's the latest.

[The_Casual_Observer]

92. Last week pundits claimed "attacks dwindle as democracy

takes hold"

My eyes rolled & I held my nose.

[kitkatrose]

93. That could very well be true,

but if the attacks are getting more precise and causing more fatalities, it really doesn't matter if they're down by 22%. :eyes: Sometimes I get so sick of this whore media we have--they can't even report half of the truth, let alone all of it. :mad: :grr: