24 Dead in Samarra
Guerrillas in Samarra detonated three car bombs on Friday, killing some 24 persons and wounding dozens. The guerrillas targeted national guards’ outposts, policemen, and US troops.
Samarra had been the target of a US military assault similar to that now being undertaken against Fallujah. The US had given assurances that it could wipe the insurgency out in Samarra with these means. That Samarra still is the scene of such violence brings the Fallujah operation into question, as well.
The deaths of 3 British soldiers at the hands of guerrillas, have put enormous pressure on the government of UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Associated Press surveys other developments in Iraq on Friday.