The Insider: Daily Terrorism Report

ByABC News
August 24, 2004, 1:56 PM

August 24 -- Leadership failures of top Pentagon officials are at least partially responsible for abuses by U.S. soldiers at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, and detainees as young as 15 were specifically targeted for abuse, according to two newspaper reports Tuesday.

Meanwhile in Iraq, American forces sharply intensified fighting early Tuesday, as troops attacked rebels loyal to Moktada al-Sadr from three sides and pressed into the inner ring of Najaf's Old City for the first time, news wires report.

And, Osama bin Laden's chauffeur was arraigned Tuesday at the first U.S. military tribunal since World War II, appearing at a pretrial session as defense lawyers sought to challenge the process.

IRAQ NEWS

Top Pentagon Officials Criticized In Abu Ghraib ProbeLeadership failures of top Pentagon officials are at least partially responsible for abuses by U.S. soldiers at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, and detainees as young as 15 were specifically targeted for abuse, according to two newspaper reports Tuesday. (USA Today)

U.S. Soldier Accused in Abu Ghraib Abuse Makes Deal With Prosecutors, Lawyer SaysThe lawyer of one of the U.S. Army reservists accused of abusing Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison said Tuesday that military prosecutors have agreed to drop some of their charges after the soldier agreed to plead guilty to the rest. (AP)

Iraqi Teens Abused at Abu Ghraib, Report FindsAn Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prison scandal has found that military police dogs were used to frighten detained Iraqi teenagers as part of a sadistic game, one of many details in the forthcoming report that were provoking expressions of concern and disgust among Army officers briefed on the findings. (Washington Post)

American Forces Press Into the Inner Ring of Najaf's Old CityAmerican forces sharply intensified fighting here early today, as troops attacked rebels loyal to Moktada al-Sadr from three sides and pressed into the inner ring of Najaf's Old City for the first time. (NY Times)