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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
RELEASE No. 20080502-01
May 2, 2008

AWT kill criminals, destroys criminal strongholds (Baghdad)

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Air weapons teams and Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldiers destroyed criminal strongholds and killed criminals in separate engagements in Sadr City May 1.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division were attacked by criminals using small-arms fire, rocket-propelled grenades and sniper fire, while conducting barrier-emplacement operations.

An AWT providing overwatch for the operation engaged the criminals with a Hellfire missile.

One criminal was killed, the rest fled the area.

At approximately 1:45 p.m., as the soldiers continued their barrier-emplacement operation, they observed a suspect in a building with a weapon.

An M1A2 Abrams tank crew providing security for the operation fired a 120 mm round and killed the criminal.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment came under attack by criminals using small-arms and RPG fire from a nearby building.

An AWT fired two Hellfire missiles and fixed-wing aircraft dropped two precision-guided munitions and destroyed the building, which ended the criminal attacks.

At approximately 5:40 p.m., soldiers from 1-68th Combined Arms Battalion were attacked by criminals using small-arms fire from a building, while the soldiers were engaged in a barrier-replacement operation.

An AWT providing security overwatch for the soldiers fired two Hellfire missiles and destroyed the building, which ended the criminal attacks.

"MND-B Soldiers, in full partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces are resolved to free Iraq from Special Group criminals," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, MND-B and 4th Inf. Div. Spokesman.

"The SG criminals are hiding amongst innocent Iraqis putting them in harms way.  They are even using children to emplace improvised-explosive devices.  They are evil, they are twisted and care nothing for the welfare of Iraq or its people."
 

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