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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080203-09
February 3, 2008

Extremists, Coalition Forces continue skirmish outside Sadr City
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Apache helicopters supporting the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division forced a group of men planting a suspected improvised-explosive device on the side of a road in Sadr City to flee Feb. 2

Extremists have been responsible for a spike in the number of roadside bombs placed over the past month, especially explosively formed penetrators. There were 12 EFP attacks against Coalition Forces in January – the highest monthly total in more than a year.

Through a five-day span, U.S. and Iraqi Security Forces have found and disabled two IEDs, including an EFP.

MND-B Soldiers also apprehended a suspected IED emplacer during a raid Feb. 1 in the Sha’ab neighborhood. The captured individual was reportedly a lieutenant in one of the special groups operating in the area.

MND-B Engineers were engaged by small arms fire on multiple occasions Feb.1 while conducting a roadside-clearance mission in the same Sha’ab neighborhood. The engineers were unable to positively identify the shooter and did not fire back in order to safeguard against injury to civilians or damage to property.

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