Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070716-04
July 16, 2007

Second School destroyed in two days north of Baghdad
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers responded to an explosion that destroyed a school north of Baghdad July 14. This was the second school in the area destroyed in the last two days.

Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division responded to the explosion, shortly after noon, while on a patrol in the area of Quant Banat Al Hasam, Iraq. When the Soldiers arrived at the site, the cause of the explosion could not be identified. 

The unit believes Al Qaeda extremists, operating in the area, are responsible for explosion.

“We had received several tips that Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) was using this school as a rendezvous point to conduct meetings and cache weapons and munitions,” said Maj. Randall Baucom, spokesperson and public affairs officer for the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team.  “Although the exact cause of this explosion is unknown, like the destruction of the Al Malahma School in Taji, we believe AQI is a likely suspect.”

Coalition Forces will continue to investigate the cause of the explosion and determine who is responsible for this attack.
 
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