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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070817-06
August 17, 2007

Insurgents launch attack from mosque
Multi-National Division – North PAO

TAJI, Iraq – Insurgents launched an attack against Coalition Forces from a Sunni mosque in Tarmiyah, Iraq, in Baghdad Province, Aug. 16.
 
Soldiers from 4th Stryker Brigade Combat, 2nd Infantry Division, were attacked at their outpost with heavy small-arms fire which the unit confirmed came from the Honest Muhammed Mosque. The attack resulted in one Coalition Soldier killed and another  wounded as reported previously in MNC-I press release 20070817-04. CF previously reported multiple small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attacks on nearby outposts originating from the mosque since May.
 
“These insurgents displayed total disregard for the community by using a mosque, a sacred place for Muslims worship, as a sanctuary to commit their acts of terror,” said Maj. Mike Garcia, spokesperson for 4th SBCT. “They are fully aware Coalition Forces treat religious centers with the highest regard. This is an obvious sign of cowardice.”
 
After confirming the source of the attack, CF established an outer cordon of the area and attempted to locate the mosque’s Imam. After being unable to find the Imam, CF talked to the mosque’s groundskeeper in an attempt to resolve the situation.
 
CF conducted a tactical callout to individuals inside the mosque instructing them to come out. Two armed individuals were identified on the roof.
 
The groundskeeper instructed everyone in the mosque to exit the mosque and surrender to CF. The groundskeeper and 20 people exited the mosque. After detaining the 20 individuals, the groundskeeper stated the mosque was empty. Two armed individuals remained on the roof.
 
An air weapons team engaged the armed individuals on the northeast corner of the mosque’s roof with a Hellfire missile.
 
The roof of the mosque only sustained minor damage.
 
“Our forces only entered after repeated attempts to have the insurgents come out to avoid damaging the mosque,” said Garcia. “However, we must continue to take action against terrorists that choose to attack our forces and threaten the community.”
 
One Soldier was transported to a Coalition medical facility where he died of wounds. Another Soldier was treated for superficial wounds and returned to duty.
 
This incident remains under investigation.

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