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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080329-06
March 29, 2008

MND-B Soldiers target criminals; 23 killed

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldiers engaged and killed 23 criminals in separate engagements in Baghdad March 28.
 
Soldiers from 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), killed one criminal in northeastern Baghdad after seeing the individual with a rocket propelled grenade launcher in an alleyway during a patrol.
 
At approximately 4 p.m., a 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in northeastern Baghdad. A number of criminals then fired on the soldiers while they attempted to recover the vehicle. Soldiers spotted and engaged two of the attackers, killing them both.
 
Iraqi security forces and Coalition soldiers were attacked during the early evening at a checkpoint in northwestern Baghdad. An air weapons team was called in to assist the ground force. The air weapons team fired one hellfire missile from the helicopter, targeting 10 criminals who were armed with RPG launchers and automatic weapons. All 10 were killed in the engagement.
 
Soldiers from 4th BCT, 1st Infantry Div., were attacked with small arms fire in southern Baghdad while on a combat patrol later in the evening. Soldiers returned fire in self defense, killing nine terrorists.
 
An hour later, a criminal armed with an RPG launcher attacked soldiers from 2-101 Abn. Div., striking an M1A1 Abrams. Soldiers spotted the terrorist and killed him in an exchange of gun fire.
 
 “Along with our Iraqi security force partners, we are targeting criminals and criminal networks, and those who are choosing to disobey al-Sayyid Moqtada al-Sadr’s ceasefire pledge,” said Col. Allen Batschelet, chief of staff, MND-B. “We will continue to conduct precision operations based on substantial evidence of criminal activity.”
 
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