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Iraqi Insurgents Launch Assault in Ramadi
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=FFEB86:3919ACA Witnesses say
scores of masked gunmen, believed to be al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists,
launched mortar rounds and rockets, as local tribal leaders and US
military officials met





Suspected insurgents prepare to launch rocket attack in Ramadi (Oct.
2005 File photo)Insurgents in the western Iraqi city of Ramadi
launched a brief assault Thursday against a U.S. base and Iraqi
government buildings.

Residents first reported the incident. They said scores of masked
gunmen, believed to be al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists, launched mortar
rounds and rockets in the streets, as local tribal leaders and U.S.
military officials met.

U.S. military spokesman, Major General Rick Lynch downplayed the
incident, saying there was only one rocket-propelled grenade attack
against a joint Iraqi coalition checkpoint, and that it caused no
casualties.

U.S. and Iraqi troops have been in Ramadi since Sunday, conducting
anti-insurgent operations ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled
for December 15. But officials caution that they expect a spike in
violence as insurgents grow more desperate in the lead-up to the vote.

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

 


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