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December 11, 2005
Lots of gunfire
Last night, around 9:00, I was in bed watching Star Trek Voyager when I heard some small arms fire in the distance. Then more and more. I paused the show and the firing seemed to be getting closer and more abundant. After a while I heard machine gun fire added to the mix. This lasted about 20 minutes and it stopped as suddenly as it started.
I asked my roommate who got back after his shift ended at midnight what they could see from the top of our hill. Apparently, throughout the city, but seemingly more concentrated in a neighborhood adjacent to our base simply erupted with people firing (mostly) into the air. There were also fireworks and flares. Some took advantage of the situation to fire more horizontally in specific directions, and I assume the machine gun fire I heard was from our guard towers responding.
I have no idea why the sudden celebration or protest, but I am trying to find out.
UPDATE: Thank you to Omar at Iraq the Model for the information. He is an Iraqi blogger in Baghdad who returned my inquisitory email promptly. It turns out it was celebratory gunfire for Iraq's victory over Syria in the West Asia Cup (soccer). What a stupid way to celebrate.
Warning: Parody follows! I wonder how the US will managed to be blamed for any deaths caused by the bullets falling back to Earth. Someone will try:
Bush, U.S. to blame for celebration deaths after soccer victory - At least 2 people were killed and over 10 injured by gunfire Saturday night in Iraq. Spontaneous celebratory gunfire erupted across the country after the national soccer team defeated Syria for the West-Asia Cup title. Rep John Murtha (D-PA), pinned the blame squarely on George W. Bush and the US presence in Iraq. "These people would still be alive if it weren't for this illegal war. Normally, all of the Iraq's best players would not have been available." Rep Murtha was alluding to the fact that after losses, Saddam's son, Uday Hussein, would frequently punnish the team's stars by having them kick around a concrete soccer ball until they broke the bones in their feet. The team suffered a humiliating 5-1 loss in an international friendly match in October to Bahrain.
Posted by TJ at December 11, 2005 11:30 AM
Comments
Geez! You have your helmet on, right!
Posted by: yankeemom![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.basictrainingblog.com/weblog/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 11, 2005 07:36 PM
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