The assault on Falluja has started. U.S. warplanes are dropping huge bombs on civilian neighborhoods, and ground troops are beginning to enter the city. One hospital, Nazzal Emergency Hospital, was destroyed in an air strike; another, Falluja General Hospital, has been seized by U.S. forces, making it unlikely that injured civilians will be able to go there for treatment. The estimated 50,000 civilians who remain in Falluja lack running water, electricity, and food. There will undoubtedly be many civilian injuries and deaths: during the last siege of Falluja in April, at least 600 Iraqis were killed, most of them civilians. In the current assault -- contrary to the perception that the U.S. military only employs high-tech, surgical weapons, to minimize civilian casualties -- AC-130 gunships are being used, which fire only "dumb" munitions. The death toll is expected to be high on the U.S. side as well: Marine commanders have warned that deaths among U.S. forces could reach levels not seen since the Vietnam War. The U.S. assault on Falluja is a catastrophic action that will result in horrific and unnecessary bloodshed, fuel anger and resentment against the U.S., and swell the ranks of terrorist groups rather than eradicating terrorism. We need to raise our voices in opposition to this attack and call for our troops to be brought home now!
Sponsor: Central Ohio Peace Network
Contact: Email John Wallace at <[email protected]> or call the
Community Organizing Center at 614-252-9255 for more information