US Troops and the 36th Iraqi Commando Battalion Seize Fallujah Hospital

Numerous news sources are reporting that US troops have seized a Fallujah hospital. This will be cold comfort to the enemies of America, both foreign and domestic, but it's a far cry from what was reported by the BBC and cited here:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

US troops seize Fallujah hospital
November 8, 2004 - 1:41PM

US troops and special Iraqi forces seized the main hospital in the rebel Iraqi city of Fallujah without a fight early today, according to a pool reporter embedded with the troops.

Iraqi forces from the 36th commando battalion entered the hospital without firing a shot, blindfolding some people and kicking down some doors, according to the reporter.

They were transported to the hospital inside Fallujah in US marine trucks escorted by marines in armoured vehicles, who secured the area.

The one storey Fallujah General Hospital is the largest in the city and is located on the western side on the banks of the Euphrates which separates it from the centre.

The taking of the hospital appeared to mark the start of an all-out offensive by the some 20,000 US and Iraqi forces stationed around the city to regain the insurgency bastion west of Baghdad from the grip of rebels.

US and Iraqi forces met little resistance as they entered the city except for a roadside bomb that exploded close to a US military vehicle wounding a marine, according to the reporter.

An AFP correspondent inside the city said he spoke with the director of the hospital earlier by telephone.
www.theage.com.au...

thescotsman.scotsman.com...
washingtontimes.com...
www.abc.net.au...
www.cfra.com...
www.channelnewsasia.com...
news.google.com...://www.theage.com.au/news/Iraq/US-troops-seize-Fallujah-hospital/2004/11/08/109978130224 8.html

It would seem that our friends at the BBC might have jumped the gun just a little or all these other news sources are hallucinating.


[edit on 04/11/7 by GradyPhilpott]

I don't believe securing this hospital is the beginning of an 'all out offensive'. This is simply securing a foothold. If it's Fallujah's largest building, it will be somewhat difficult to defend, but what better building to take first than a perfectly outfitted casualty collection point. This is a good move and should cut our KIA toll by a lot.