The Gantry Launchpad

ARBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - The second-worst attack since the US occupation began took the lives of 56 people in Abril today.

The attacks were directed at the Kurdish leadership in Northern Iraq, targeting the offices of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Among the dead are Sami Abdul-Rahman, deputy prime minister of the KDP government in the north, Arbil Province governor Akram Mantik, and deputy governor Mehdi Khoshnau.

It would seem that the terrorists are changing tactics. Instead of trying to kill US/Coalition troops, they are now starting to focus on the civil infratstructure in Iraq.

The goal is obvious: to turn the country into another Lebanon, so that the group with the most guns and money comes out on top. This is how the Sunni Baathists expect to regain power after the US leaves.

I generally manage to keep up on this stuff, but Dean caught me on the hop with this one.

Or, you can go directly to the source he links to here:

"03/13/2004: Rebellion in Northern Iran
Project FREE IRAN has several pictures similar to this of an ongoing rebellion in Northern Iran in a place called Fereydunkenar, which I would imagine few of us have ever heard of. Street battles have occurred and, according to the site, several protestors killed by "security forces." Project FREE IRAN is worth bookmarking because this struggle is certain to continue and our media have little access, even if they wanted it. (hat tip: Larry)"

But that's not all! Just a few hours ago I found this link over at The Corner on NRO:
SYRIAN RIOTING

"Public buildings still burned Sunday in the northern Syrian city of Qameshli following riots in which at least 14 Kurds were reported killed in clashes with security forces, an AFP reporter saw. Syrian authorities swiftly cracked down on the unrest over the weekend, branding it an attempt to destabilise the country as Washington prepares to impose economic sanctions on Damascus."

"At this moment, Qamishli and four other Western Kurdish cities are under siege by the Syrian military. Tanks and helicopters surround the cities. Syrian soldiers and Arab militias on patrol shoot indiscriminately into the streets. Communication with the outside world has been cut off. Mobile phone contacts report over 50 people killed and hundreds injured by this callous act."

"US forces now in Syria (emphasis added: Casey)

"Analysis: this highlights some key points that will be discussed later. First, the signs of concrete American involvement have come to light. American personnel and helicopters landing in northern Syria, no matter who they are or why, is big news. Assad's dispatch of his brother (Defense Minister) to speak with Kurdish leaders is also a major turning point; signs that the Syrian military can't control the situation? Or simply fear international backlash by making any critical moves?"

Things are heating up over there! And (as Dean pointed out) as of 3/15, 10:45 p.m. Eastern time, CNN still doesn't have a clue on their website.

UPDATE (March 19): the UK's Telegraph is now reporting on the rioting in Syria.

I caught this headline from Yahoo! News today:

Iraq Hostages Are from States That Stayed Out of War

"BAGHDAD (Reuters) - When it comes to kidnapping, the nationalities which had least to do with the Iraq war seem to be most at risk in the still-troubled country."

In other words, staying out of the way and hunkered down didn't help any.

But what really gets me is that not only are the the so-called "resistance fighters" are kidnapping the citizens of countries that opposed US intervention in Iraq, but that those civilians are there to help rebuild the country!

In addition to the Chinese and Japanese hostages,
" Seven South Korean church pastors were taken captive last week but freed later the same day. Three Pakistanis, two Turks, an Indian, a Nepali and a Filipino were also kidnapped but detained only briefly before being released.

A Palestinian and a Canadian of Syrian origin are believed still held.

As missionaries, journalists, human rights activists or contract workers, most of those taken captive appear to have had little connection with the military, perhaps making them easy targets." (emphasis added)

Yes, sir, a sure-fire plan to gain independance and rebuild Iraq.

If you don't know what Gunners Palace is yet, drop on by Mudville and read this. After you're done, read a review by Andrew Watkins, a D.C. resident and "military guy."

Everyone, and I mean everyone should see this movie. As everyone has been saying: it's not pro-war, nor is it anti-war. It's about the young men in the 2-3 Field Artillery.

You can get more information about the movie, and even sign up for the movie's newsletter, at www.gunnerpalace.com.

It is, alas, not showing in Ohio yet, but here's the latest list of theaters:

Just over a half-hour ago London suffered another series of bomb attacks on subway stations.

London Police Chief Ian Blair origonally reported four explosions or attempted explosions. Later reports used the word "bang(s)."

The latest developments at the Command Post blog seem (to me) to indicate that some detonators went off, but no known major explosions as yet.

UPDATE: BBC has more info: "The BBC's Andrew Winstanley said devices had been found but appeared to have been dummies, containing no explosives."

MORE: Instapundit is on it, and apparently the London media is as self-destructive as the D.C. crew: "Some idiot correspondent asked Blair if the attacks were his fault because of the Iraq war. And others are taking an equally negative line -- one asks if the propaganda war against terror is being lost."

I like Reynolds' response:

You're idiots, cowards, and political hacks. Yes! The preening, point-scoring irresponsibility of the press, which is if anything worse in Britain than in America, is one of the most striking things about this war, and it will be decades before it recovers. If it does.

The kind of question I'd like to see from the media? How about: "Mr. Prime Minister, how long do you expect before we hunt these rat bastards to their graves?"

Rusty at The Jawa Report has a hysterical clip up by Carlos Mencia.

Some of the (lefty) commenters found Mr. Mencia to be "offensive."

My reaction: Carlos Mencia was enunciating the Jacksonian Tradition in an especially pungent form...

PostScript: a Spew Warning is in effect for the duration of the above clip. You Have Been Warned.

Heh.

Jim Baen has been editing/producing excellent general SF and military SF for over twenty years, including Jerry Pournelle's series of anthologies; There Will Be War.

Today I found out (via Laughing Wolf at Blackfive) that Jim Baen has suffered a stroke.

I can't tell you how many truly excellent books I've read with which Jim Baen was involved. And even if you don't have a soft spot in your heart for the jarheads, squids, zoomies, and ground-pounders out there (and their stories), you should direct your attention to the work Baen has performed during his part of the DRM battle. To wit, the Baen Free Library.

Let us keep Jim Baen (and family) in our prayers.