Nine US soldiers killed on Saddam Hussein's Birthday

Truth About Iraqis

It was celebrated for nearly 23 years. On this day, nine American mothers lost their children.The U.S. military is reporting nine American troops killed in Iraq, including five in fighting in Anbar province and three others in separate attacks south of the capital. The deaths raise to nearly 100 the number of troops who have died in Iraq this month (...) These mothers will no longer celebrate birthdays. Some Iraqi resistance groups have offered the combat fatalities as a "gift". Others say it has nothing to do with Saddam. No matter, you reap what you sow. Occupation begets resistance. Is this the progress Petraeus speakes of?...

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Supporters celebrate Saddam's birthday

AP

Hundreds of people brought unlit candles and flowers toSaddam Hussein's tomb on Saturday to mark what would have been his 70th birthday. Children wore white, along with badges bearing Saddam's portrait, and sang songs and poems as cake was served in Saddam's burial place, an ornate building with a marble floor that he had built for religious events in this Tigris River village. The supporters said they were mourning the state of their country along with the ousted leader, who was hanged on Dec. 30 for crimes against humanity. "We came with candles but won't light them because the candle of Iraq, President Saddam Hussein, has gone as a martyr," said Fatin Abdul Qadir, the director of a children's charity in nearby Tikrit, 80 miles north of Baghdad. "We will light them when Iraq is liberated again."...

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