U.S. Airstrikes in Baghdad kill 12

This is from presstv.ir This is more evidence that the U.S. is implementing a policy of minimising U.S. casualties while using air strikes in urban areas. This policy is bound to produce more collateral damage. Translated that means more Iraqi civilian casualties. This is in turn is bound to produce more insurgents as families seek revenge.
Iran is given virtually no credit for brokering a ceasefire that saved Maliki's face nor even for condemning attacks on the Green Zone. Note that while Sadr's militia is supported by Iran so are other Shiite militia associated with the Shia government. Sadr is trying to retire from the strife and contemplate in Iran while all this is going. If he returns to lead the fray watch out. It may also happen that even more of his followers will not listen to him and go there own way as has already happened to some extent.


US airstrikes in Baghdad kill 12
Wed, 09 Apr 2008 03:30:04


A US missile strike in Baghdad's Sadr City
Three US airstrikes in northeastern Baghdad have killed 12 suspected gunmen and wounded 15 civilians, Iraqi police and US military say.

The deadliest strike occurred Tuesday early afternoon when an unmanned drone fired a missile at a large group of gunmen with weapons and mortar tubes, according to a US military statement.

The Hellfire missile killed some 10 fighters who were heavily armed, it claimed.

Iraqi police said 15 people, including women and children, also were wounded in the strike. The US military denied it.

Earlier in the day, another unmanned aerial vehicle fired a Hellfire missile elsewhere in the area, killing two suspected gunmen after two mortar rounds were fired at US forces, according to the statement.

In the third incident, an unmanned drone fired a Hellfire missile to destroy four rocket rails in an open field after determining no civilians were in the area.