Articles 7.9.2005

The Guam Pacific Daily News has an article on a wounded 2nd BCT Soldier. 1st. Lt. Frederick Babauta (who's unit wasn't given, but is based in Ramadi and was scheduled to leave Iraq for Colorado 21 days after he was wounded) suffered serious shrapnel wounds down the ride side of his face and body when a bomb exploded as they prepared to clear a house around 1 a.m. on the night of June 24. 1LT Babauta was evacuated, and is presently undergoing treatment at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center in San Antonio, TX. He was recently removed from ICU. He hopes the wounds are not so severe to keep him from his goal of being a career Soldier. He is married with 3 daughters, who left Guam to be at his side. Another unidentified Soldier was also wounded in the blast, but no details were provided.
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The AP and Reuters report on a new operation in the Anbar province that does not appear to involve any 2nd BCT units. Operation Scimitar is being conducted by 500 Marines and 100 Iraqi troops in the village of Zaidon, SE of Fallujah. This is the 4th offensive in the province over the past month. 2nd BCT units were reportedly involved in the 3rd, Operation Sword.
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Other articles from the region:
- LA Times (reg req'd): Iraqis Worry That Diplomats May Flee Violence
- NY Times (reg req'd): Iraq Asks Muslim States for Support After Envoy's Killing
- Washington Post (reg req'd): General Says Insurgency Weakened in Baghdad