Iraqis Riot, Shoot Down U.S. Helicopter

TORONTO (NFTF.org) -- Iraqis rioted through the town of Habt in the province of Anbar today, burning police stations, and shouting pro-Saddam slogans, Al Jazeera TV and eyewitnesses reported. The rioters blamed the U.S. presence in Iraq for the mushrooming inflation and lack of services.

Al Jazeera reported that a U.S. helicopter was shot down, killing four U.S. military personnel. Al Jazeera also reported that U.S. service men were seen quickly removing evidence of the downed helicopter. Meanwhile, an Iraqi police station in Anbar was blown up by no less than 20 hand grenades -- a reprisal attack for Iraqis colluding with U.S. forces, says Al Jazeera.

At press time, there was no comment from CENTCOM in Doha, Qatar.

A London Arab daily today published a third letter it says is from Saddam Hussein. The letter calls for resistance against the U.S. invaders.

YellowTimes.org correspondent Firas Al-Atraqchi drafted this report.