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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070825-08
August 25, 2007

Samarra security update
Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – Contrary to recent published news reports, which have cited multiple, complex attacks by al-Qaeda against Samarra-based National Police, there are no evidence or facts corroborating these articles.
 
“The reports about the al-Qaeda attack on Samarra are false and we have checked with Iraqis to confirm this never happened,” said Lt. Col. Viet Luong, commander of 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, whose Soldiers work in and around Samarra.”
 
No such attacks have been reported by the Iraqi-led local and provincial joint coordination centers, which are responsible for reporting and tracking such events.
 
There was a minor attack near an Iraqi Army position on Aug. 23, leaving one IA soldier wounded.  The wounded soldier was later returned to duty.  Police forces were not involved in the incident.
 
“The Iraqi Security Forces have made great strides in securing Samarra and as a result of their efforts attack levels have dropped within the city in the past month,” said Luong.
 
Samarra’s standard city-wide eight-hour curfew – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. – remains in effect and has been in place with slight modifications for more than a year. 

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