IRAQ: US 3RD INFANTRY TROOPS CONSOLIDATE THEIR POSITION NEAR KARBALA

Record ID: 648811

  • Title: IRAQ: US 3RD INFANTRY TROOPS CONSOLIDATE THEIR POSITION NEAR KARBALA
  • Date: 27th March 2003
  • Summary: (W8) UNKNOWN LOCATION, SOUTHEAST OF KARBALA, APPROX 110KMS (70 MILES) SOUTH OF BAGHDAD, IRAQ (MARCH 27, 2003)(REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS, ARMOURED VEHICLES ZIGZAGING IN THE SAND 0.18 2. VARIOUS, TROOPS ARRIVING TO COLLECT FOOD RATIONS 0.36 3. VARIOUS, SOLDIER DISHING COOKED MEAL OUT TO SOLDIERS ( 3 SHOTS) 0.57 4. SOUNDBITE (English) UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIERS, SAYING: "I don't remember when we got our last one (decent meal), about eight days ago, yeah I'm happy to get it." /PAN TO MEAL IN DISH (2 SHOTS) 1.09 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 11th April 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: UNKNOWN LOCATION, SOUTHEAST OF KARBALA, 110 KMS (70 MILES)OUTSIDE BAGHDAD, SOUTHERN IRAQ
  • Country: Iraq
  • Reuters ID: LVABC69BPLCSM16JFQQ3ASNF5FP9
  • Story Text: After the opening four days of rapid advances by the
    American forces, units including the 3rd Infantry Division are
    having to consolidate their positions against the increased
    threat of guerilla style attacks from Iraqi forces defending
    the territory.



    Soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division swapped their
    humvees for bunkers on Thursday (March 27), as increased Iraqi
    activity in the areas around Karbala and An Nasiriyah called a
    halt to their rapid advance on Baghdad.

    After being battered for two days by the worst sandstorm
    in 17 years, the soldiers used the clear weather to reinforce
    their defensive positions against potential retaliatory
    strikes from Iraq army units active in the area and take on
    some welcomed food.

    The Iraqi defence around the sacred site of Karbala and
    Najaf has taken the American soldiers by surprise. Iraqi units
    have not surrendered as first thought but are putting up stiff
    resistance against the American advance.

    The need to secure the rear areas has become increasingly
    important to the American forces. The movement of supplies
    such as food and water has been hampered by attacks from Iraqi
    units in areas behind the American positions, so much so that
    rations known as meals ready to eat were decreased to two
    meals a day in order to conserve food.

    Units needed for the advance on Baghdad are now being used
    to consolidate the supply lines south of their position. As a
    result the rapid advance on Baghdad has come to a halt for
    now.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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