A Soldiers Blog

Soldiers Angels in California
August 19, 2004

Hello Angels! I am sure you have all heard by now that we have adopted two new military hospitals in Southern California, Camp Pendleton and Balboa Naval Hospital. With great anticipation of this great and honorable task we have begun to supply our local group of soldiers with necessities such as underwear, socks, paints, and hygiene supplies.

Also included were phone cards, games, DVD?s and other related items. All supplies were gathered and put into welcome backpacks for the incoming soldiers. Last Friday, these packages were put together generously by our Southern California Angels headed by Kara Root and Debe Tomney. All of these Angels were fantastic personally creating each and every package as well as writing their thanks and appreciation.

Thank you for all that attended, and thank you for all of the supplies generosity donated.

No ?? Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airman [will] go unloved? here in the Camp Pendleton and Balboa Navel Hospitals.

Visit Soldiers' Angels today.

posted by Soldiers Angels @ 7:37 AM |

Iraq War News
JOINT RAID CAPTURES AIF MEMBER NEAR TUZ in CENTCOM: News Release

Militia, Shiite leaders bicker over shrine: "NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - Militants loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr remained in control of a revered Shiite shrine at the center of the crisis in Najaf on Saturday, as they bickered with top Shiite religious leaders over how to hand the holy site over."

In Modesto Bee: Iraq

Iran says Iraq now admits arresting three missing journalists: "Iraq's US-backed caretaker government has now admitted that three reporters for Iran's state IRNA news agency who went missing on August 9 were detained by police, a senior interior ministry official said. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Confusion Over Control Of Mosque: "Militants loyal to a radical Shiite cleric were rebuffed when they tried to give the keys of the mosque at the center of the fighting in Najaf to reps of Iraq's top Shiite leader. Those reps want the militants out first. Elsewhere, two more GIs died."

In CBS News: Iraq Crisis

Accused Hamas leader denies U.S. charges: "A senior official of the Palestinian militant group Hamas indicted in the United States for conspiring to fund terror attacks against Israel denied the accusations and said the charges were driven by election-year politics in the United States."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Militia, Shiite Leaders Bicker Over Shrine: "Militants loyal to firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr remained in control of a revered Shiite shrine at the center of the crisis in Najaf on Saturday, as they bickered with top Shiite religious leaders over how to hand the holy site over. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Cracks May Be Forming in Cleric's Rebel Camp: "NAJAF, Iraq - Rebel cleric Muqtada Sadr's grip on Imam Ali Mosque appeared less certain late Friday after a chaotic day in which some of his fighters were captured attempting to flee this holy city and his representatives vowed to remove weapons from the shrine. (Los Angeles Times)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Al-Sadr Fighters Hand Over Keys to Shrine: "Militants loyal to firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said Saturday that they had handed over the keys to a revered Muslim shrine in the holy city of Najaf to top Shiite religious leaders, a move that marks a crucial step toward ending two weeks of fighting. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Handing over keys, not control...Campaign turns nasty...Political billions in Katu.com: Iraq & Terror

Accused Hamas leader denies terror charges: "A senior official of the Palestinian militant group Hamas indicted in the United States for conspiring to fund terror attacks against Israel denied the accusations and said the charges were driven by election-year politics in the United States."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Al-Sadr fighters hand over keys to shrine: "Militants loyal to firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said Saturday that they had handed over the keys to a revered Muslim shrine in the holy city of Najaf to top Shiite religious leaders, a move that marks a crucial step toward ending two weeks of fighting."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Israeli author uses slogans to write song: "The song starts sweetly, but its angry words, all quoted from bumper stickers, are an Israeli author's attempt to shock his compatriots into seeing how callous they have become."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Gunmen keep watch on Iraqi shrine: "Gunmen still patrol the centre of Iraq's holy city of Najaf after 16 days of fighting and delicate talks."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq (UK Edition)

Clashes Slow as Cleric's Grip on Mosque Seems to Slip: "Moktada al-Sadr, the rebel Shiite cleric, still retained control of a Najaf shrine, though there were signs his grip might be weakening."

In New York Times: World Special

On Iraq's Border, Sailors of the Desert Smuggle Subsidized Gasoline: "A form of petty smuggling continues along Iraq's border, in which subsidized gasoline is bought in Iraq and then resold in Jordan at more than 10 times its cost."

In New York Times: World Special

Militia Offers to Cede Control of Shrine: "A rebel cleric's militiamen kept their guns outside a holy site Friday after issuing a surprise offer to give up control of the Imam Ali Shrine to Shiite Muslim religious leaders, but negotiators wrangled into the night over getting the militants out of the compound. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

On Tape, Abducted Reporter Says He's OK: "A U.S. journalist abducted by militants in Iraq and threatened with death said in a video aired Friday that his captors were treating him well, while an Italian journalist also was reported missing in the war-torn country. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

posted by Soldiers Angels @ 7:13 AM |

Iraq War News
Suspected Militants Kidnap Iraqi Officer-Jazeera: "Suspected militants have kidnapped anIraqi intelligence officer in response to the fighting in theholy city of Najaf, Al Jazeera television reported on Tuesday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Journalist, Translator Kidnapped in Iraq: "A Western journalist and his Iraqi translator were kidnapped by two armed men in a busy market in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, police said Monday. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraq delegates urge al-Sadr to end fight: "The deadly showdown between U.S. troops and Iraqi militants in Najaf dominated Iraq's national conference Monday, with tribal and religious leaders deciding to send 60 delegates to the holy city to persuade a radical Shiite cleric to call off his fighters."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Tanks closing in on Shrine in IraqWar.info

Israel may try to break hunger strike: "Israeli jailers may try to break a Palestinian hunger strike with barbecues, hoping the aroma of grilling meat will wear down security prisoners protesting conditions and demanding more access to their families."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

2 more Turkish men taken hostage in Iraq: "Armed assailants attacked a convoy of Turkish trucks delivering supplies to U.S. forces in Iraq and took two Turkish drivers hostage, their company said Monday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Israel deports pro-Palestinian American: "An Israeli court ordered a pro-Palestinian American activist deported from the country Monday, the latest move against a foreign group opposing Israeli military activity in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

U.N. official urges political independence: "The United Nations should find ways to demonstrate political independence, regain the neutrality it lost after the Sept. 11 attacks and better communicate with the world's 1 billion Muslims, a top U.N. official said Monday."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Isolated clashes in Najaf, national conference delays Sadr mission: "Clashes dragged on in Najaf after delegates from a national conference postponed a trip to the holy city in a bid to coax rebel leader Moqtada Sadr back from the brink before a threatened US-led assault. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Militants Give El Salvador 20 Days to Leave Iraq: "An Islamist grouphas given El Salvador 20 days to pull out troops from Iraq orit would strike inside the Central American country and againstits forces in Iraq, according to an Internet statement postedMonday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraqi delegates delay mission to coax militia out of Najaf shrine: "At least 50 delegates from a key national conference delayed for a day their mission to persuade militia leader Moqtada Sadr to vacate Najaf's holy shrine as fighting resumed in the central Iraqi city. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

NEW GENERATOR MEANS MORE LIGHTS ON FOR IRAQ in CENTCOM: News Release

COALITION SUPPORTS NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AND ANA SECURITY EFFORTS in CENTCOM: News Release

DETAINEE RELEASE BOARD TAKES ON IRAQI PARTNERS in CENTCOM: News Release

VOTERS REGISTRATION SUCCEEDS IN AFGHANISTAN in CENTCOM: News Release

IEDS BRING PRISON TERMS FOR ANTI-IRAQI FORCES in CENTCOM: News Release

POOL REPORT 2 FROM FPRINT PRESS POOLER AT FOB EAGLE, SADR CITY in CENTCOM: News Release

Conflict in Najaf Dominates Iraq Political Meet: "Iraqi leaders met for a second day onMonday to pick an interim national assembly but fighting inNajaf dominated the event, piling pressure on Prime MinisterIyad Allawi to hold more talks with Shi'ite rebels. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraqi delegates prepare to leave to coax militia out of Najaf shrine: "At least 50 delegates from a key national conference prepared to drive to Najaf, confident they could persuade militia leader Moqtada Sadr to vacate the city's holy shrine, said a participant. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Delegates Urge Al-Sadr to Leave Shrine: "U.S. tanks rolled into the Old City of Najaf toward a holy Shiite shrine where militants were hiding Monday as participants at a national conference voted to send a delegation here to try to negotiate an end to the fighting. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Militants Give El Salvador 20 Days to Quit Iraq: "An Islamist group has given El Salvador20 days to pull out troops from Iraq or it would strike insidethe Central American country and against its forces in Iraq,according to an Internet statement posted Monday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

in

posted by Soldiers Angels @ 7:46 AM |

Iraq War News
French-American Journalist Said Kidnapped: "A French-American journalist was kidnapped Monday in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, Al-Jazeera television reported. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Journalists ordered out of Najaf: "Reporters have to leave the holy city of Najaf where Shia militants have clashed with US and Iraqi troops."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq

Move, or the Mosque Gets It: "

From CNN :

Twenty-five heavily armed foreigners holed up inside the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf have rigged it with explosives and are threatening to blow up the building if attacked, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said Sunday in a written statement.
The statement said the interim Iraqi government has ordered national guard forces not to target the mosque, and not to approach it.

Hat Tip : reader d3cartes

"

In Command Post: Irak

Attack overshadows Iraqi conference: "Delegates from across Iraq met in Baghdad to map out the road to democracy despite renewed violence in the besieged holy city of Najaf and the capital itself."

In Ananova: War In Iraq

Najaf: The silence of a siege (15 Aug 04) in Radio Free USA

Thousands in S. Korea Protest Iraq Plans: "Hundreds of protesters clashed with police Sunday near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul during a demonstration against the country's plans to send more troops to Iraq. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Protest at Iraq Forum Reshapes Najaf Crisis: "BAGHDAD, Aug. 15 -- More than 1,100 Iraqis convened Sunday for the start of a conference aimed at selecting a national assembly, a milestone in the country's transition to democracy, but the high-security meeting was roiled by a dispute over the use of military force to confront militiamen loyal to a rebellious Shiite Muslim cleric. (washingtonpost.com)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Israeli helicopters fire missiles in Gaza: "Palestinian prisoners launched a hunger strike Sunday, in what was shaping up to be the biggest showdown between thousands of inmates and the Israeli authorities since the outbreak of Mideast fighting in 2000."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Attack overshadows Iraqi conference: "Delegates from across Iraq met in Baghdad to map out the road to democracy despite renewed violence in the besieged holy city of Najaf and the capital itself."

In Ananova: War In Iraq

Rwandan troops arrive in Darfur region: "Dozens of Rwandan soldiers arrived in Sudan's troubled Darfur region Sunday, the first foreign armed force deployed in the area since Arab militiamen began a rampage against black African farmers, killing thousands."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

U.S. soldiers battle Shiites in Najaf: "U.S. tanks and troops rolled back into the center of Najaf and battled with Shiite militants Sunday, reigniting violence in the holy city just as delegates in Baghdad opened a conference meant to be a landmark in the country's movement toward democracy."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Long trip home ends happily: "FORT RILEY, Kan. ? It doesn't matter that the 300 soldiers ? after traveling 38 hours and 11,000 miles from a war ? still have to march almost a mile on foot. They are breathing the brisk air of an early Kansas morning, one that smells like clean dew on grass instead of sludge from a sewer. And they already can hear the cheers."

In Kansas City Star: Iraq

posted by Soldiers Angels @ 6:21 AM |

Iraq War News
French-American Journalist Said Kidnapped: "A French-American journalist was kidnapped Monday in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, Al-Jazeera television reported. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Journalists ordered out of Najaf: "Reporters have to leave the holy city of Najaf where Shia militants have clashed with US and Iraqi troops."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq

Move, or the Mosque Gets It: "

From CNN :

Twenty-five heavily armed foreigners holed up inside the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf have rigged it with explosives and are threatening to blow up the building if attacked, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said Sunday in a written statement.
The statement said the interim Iraqi government has ordered national guard forces not to target the mosque, and not to approach it.

Hat Tip : reader d3cartes

"

In Command Post: Irak

Attack overshadows Iraqi conference: "Delegates from across Iraq met in Baghdad to map out the road to democracy despite renewed violence in the besieged holy city of Najaf and the capital itself."

In Ananova: War In Iraq

Najaf: The silence of a siege (15 Aug 04) in Radio Free USA

Thousands in S. Korea Protest Iraq Plans: "Hundreds of protesters clashed with police Sunday near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul during a demonstration against the country's plans to send more troops to Iraq. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Protest at Iraq Forum Reshapes Najaf Crisis: "BAGHDAD, Aug. 15 -- More than 1,100 Iraqis convened Sunday for the start of a conference aimed at selecting a national assembly, a milestone in the country's transition to democracy, but the high-security meeting was roiled by a dispute over the use of military force to confront militiamen loyal to a rebellious Shiite Muslim cleric. (washingtonpost.com)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Israeli helicopters fire missiles in Gaza: "Palestinian prisoners launched a hunger strike Sunday, in what was shaping up to be the biggest showdown between thousands of inmates and the Israeli authorities since the outbreak of Mideast fighting in 2000."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Attack overshadows Iraqi conference: "Delegates from across Iraq met in Baghdad to map out the road to democracy despite renewed violence in the besieged holy city of Najaf and the capital itself."

In Ananova: War In Iraq

Rwandan troops arrive in Darfur region: "Dozens of Rwandan soldiers arrived in Sudan's troubled Darfur region Sunday, the first foreign armed force deployed in the area since Arab militiamen began a rampage against black African farmers, killing thousands."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

U.S. soldiers battle Shiites in Najaf: "U.S. tanks and troops rolled back into the center of Najaf and battled with Shiite militants Sunday, reigniting violence in the holy city just as delegates in Baghdad opened a conference meant to be a landmark in the country's movement toward democracy."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Long trip home ends happily: "FORT RILEY, Kan. ? It doesn't matter that the 300 soldiers ? after traveling 38 hours and 11,000 miles from a war ? still have to march almost a mile on foot. They are breathing the brisk air of an early Kansas morning, one that smells like clean dew on grass instead of sludge from a sewer. And they already can hear the cheers."

In Kansas City Star: Iraq

posted by Soldiers Angels @ 6:20 AM |

Iraq War News
French-American Journalist Said Kidnapped: "A French-American journalist was kidnapped Monday in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah, Al-Jazeera television reported. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Journalists ordered out of Najaf: "Reporters have to leave the holy city of Najaf where Shia militants have clashed with US and Iraqi troops."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq

Move, or the Mosque Gets It: "

From CNN :

Twenty-five heavily armed foreigners holed up inside the Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf have rigged it with explosives and are threatening to blow up the building if attacked, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said Sunday in a written statement.
The statement said the interim Iraqi government has ordered national guard forces not to target the mosque, and not to approach it.

Hat Tip : reader d3cartes

"

In Command Post: Irak

Attack overshadows Iraqi conference: "Delegates from across Iraq met in Baghdad to map out the road to democracy despite renewed violence in the besieged holy city of Najaf and the capital itself."

In Ananova: War In Iraq

Najaf: The silence of a siege (15 Aug 04) in Radio Free USA

Thousands in S. Korea Protest Iraq Plans: "Hundreds of protesters clashed with police Sunday near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul during a demonstration against the country's plans to send more troops to Iraq. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Protest at Iraq Forum Reshapes Najaf Crisis: "BAGHDAD, Aug. 15 -- More than 1,100 Iraqis convened Sunday for the start of a conference aimed at selecting a national assembly, a milestone in the country's transition to democracy, but the high-security meeting was roiled by a dispute over the use of military force to confront militiamen loyal to a rebellious Shiite Muslim cleric. (washingtonpost.com)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Israeli helicopters fire missiles in Gaza: "Palestinian prisoners launched a hunger strike Sunday, in what was shaping up to be the biggest showdown between thousands of inmates and the Israeli authorities since the outbreak of Mideast fighting in 2000."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Attack overshadows Iraqi conference: "Delegates from across Iraq met in Baghdad to map out the road to democracy despite renewed violence in the besieged holy city of Najaf and the capital itself."

In Ananova: War In Iraq

Rwandan troops arrive in Darfur region: "Dozens of Rwandan soldiers arrived in Sudan's troubled Darfur region Sunday, the first foreign armed force deployed in the area since Arab militiamen began a rampage against black African farmers, killing thousands."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

U.S. soldiers battle Shiites in Najaf: "U.S. tanks and troops rolled back into the center of Najaf and battled with Shiite militants Sunday, reigniting violence in the holy city just as delegates in Baghdad opened a conference meant to be a landmark in the country's movement toward democracy."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Long trip home ends happily: "FORT RILEY, Kan. ? It doesn't matter that the 300 soldiers ? after traveling 38 hours and 11,000 miles from a war ? still have to march almost a mile on foot. They are breathing the brisk air of an early Kansas morning, one that smells like clean dew on grass instead of sludge from a sewer. And they already can hear the cheers."

In Kansas City Star: Iraq

posted by Soldiers Angels @ 6:19 AM |

Iraq War News
Explosions heard in central Baghdad: "Five loud explosions shook central Baghdad on Sunday just hours after the beginning of a national conference meant to move Iraq on the road toward democracy."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

New Clashes May Loom As Najaf Talks Fail: "Negotiations to end the fighting in Najaf broke down Saturday, threatening to spark a resurgence of the fierce clashes between Shiite militants and a combined U.S.-Iraqi force that have plagued this holy city for more than a week. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Ukrainian Soldier Killed by Iraq Land Mine: "A Ukrainian soldier was killed Sunday in a land mine explosion southeast of Baghdad, a spokesman for the multinational forces said. The blast occurred n the area of Suwayrah, 25 miles south of Baghdad, in the Ukrainian troops' area of responsibility. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraq's Najaf Tense, Political Conference to Open: "Shi'ite militiamen were in a tensestandoff with U.S. and Iraqi forces in the holy city of NajafSunday, casting a shadow over a major political gathering setto open in Baghdad. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Iraq national conference due to begin amid tight security: "A national conference, billed as a first experiment in post-Saddam Hussein democracy, was to begin as 1,300 delegates from across Iraq were expected to gather in Baghdad amid massive security. (AFP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Slaughter as US attacks Najaf: "AT LEAST 165 people were killed and more than 600 wounded in heavy fighting across Iraq over the past 24 hours as US marines moved to wipe out Moqtada al-Sadr's militia forces in the holy city of Najaf. As US tanks, armoured vehicles and helicopter gunships attacked the radical cleric's Mehdi Army, the rebels fired mortar rounds from the courtyard of the Imam Ali mosque, one of the holiest Shi'ite sites."

In Electronic Iraq

New clashes may loom as Najaf talks fail: "Negotiations to end the fighting in Najaf broke down Saturday, threatening to spark a resurgence of the fierce clashes between Shiite militants and a combined U.S.-Iraqi force that have plagued this holy city for more than a week."

In Seattle Post-Intelligencer: War on Iraq

Iraq holy city faces new assault: "The Iraqi authorities say they will resume military operations against Shia fighters in the holy city of Najaf."

In BBC: Conflict with Iraq

Impasse in Najaf May Spark More Clashes: "Negotiations to end the fighting in Najaf broke down Saturday, threatening to spark a resurgence of the fierce clashes between Shiite militants and a combined U.S.-Iraqi force that have plagued this holy city for more than a week. (AP)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Fighting Set to Resume in Iraq's Najaf, Talks Fail: "U.S. and Iraqi forces were poisedto resume fighting rebel Shi'ite militia in the holy city ofNajaf after peace talks aimed at ending an uprising that haskilled hundreds collapsed Saturday. (Reuters)"

In Yahoo! News: War with Iraq

Ambush in Ramadi: "On April 6, a company of Marines on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq, was ambushed. Ten died that night and two more in the days that followed. These are their stories, as told by their families, friends, girlfriends, teachers and ministers."

In Kansas City Star: Iraq

Impasse could lead to violence in Najaf: "NAJAF, Iraq (AP) - Negotiations to end the fighting in Najaf broke down Saturday, threatening to spark a resurgence of the fierce clashes between Shiite militants and a combined U.S.-Iraqi force that have plagued this holy city for more than a week."

In Fresno Bee: Iraq

posted by Soldiers Angels @ 6:38 AM |

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