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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080412-02
April 12, 2008

Coalition forces return fire after complex attack in Sadr City (Baghdad)

3rd BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldiers, in a combined operation with Iraqi Army soldiers, killed several criminals in eastern Baghdad after their convoy was attacked by multiple road side bombs, and small-arms fire from adjacent high rise buildings April 11.

At approximately 9 p.m., soldiers from 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division soldiers, supporting Iraqi Army soldiers from the 42nd Brigade, 11th IA Div., killed two criminal snipers, two criminals firing rocket propelled grenades, and multiple others from a nearby building where soldiers were taking RPG and machine gun fire.

At the same time, soldiers from 1st CAB, 68th AR were transporting barriers, in support of Iraqi Army soldiers establishing a checkpoint, when two vehicles in the convoy were damaged when they struck more than six improvised explosive devices.

Small-arms fire, including sniper fire, machine-gun fire and RPGs were fired from buildings overlooking the road. Iraqi Army soldiers and 1-68 AR soldiers immediately returned fire with 7.62mm and 25mm small arms, killing at least four Special Groups members.

Secondary explosions were observed from the building immediately after, possibly indicating arms and munitions were stored in the building.

Small-arms fire continued to come from nearby buildings until 1st CAB, 68th AR engaged the buildings with two 122mm rounds from a M1A2 Abrams tank, killing two criminals and ending the small-arms attack.

At approximately 10:20 p.m., Airmen assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd BCT, operating an unmanned aerial vehicle reconnaissance platform identified three criminals emplacing additional IEDs.

The UAV fired one Hellfire missile, killing all three criminals.

“The most important part about what happened is that this was a combined mission, only two vehicles were damaged, no U.S. or Iraqi Army soldiers were seriously injured, and we went on to complete our mission,” said Maj. John Gossart, executive officer, 1st CAB, 68th AR, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

“We are ever vigilant against criminals who commit random acts of violence and we will relentlessly hunt down these criminals who hide among Iraq’s law-abiding people.”

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