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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080505-04
May 5, 2008

MND-B soldiers target criminals, kill nine
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldiers killed nine criminals during night operations in Baghdad May 4-5.

An aerial weapons team conducting surveillance identified a group of criminals preparing to launch an indirect-fire attack in Sadr City at approximately 9:50 p.m. May 4. An earlier indirect-fire attack occurred from the same location.

The AWT engaged and killed three criminals with a Hellfire missile. A 240 mm rocket rail was also destroyed.

At approximately 10:20 p.m., an AWT identified a criminal emplacing an improvised explosive device in eastern Baghdad and engaged the individual with 30 mm rounds, killing the criminal.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were attacked in southwestern Baghdad with small-arms fire at approximately 11:30 p.m. An AWT came to the soldiers’ assistance and fired a Hellfire missile and 30 mm rounds at a building where the attack originated. Three criminals were killed, and the attack was halted.

At approximately 1:05 a.m. May 5, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., were struck with an IED and attacked with small-arms fire from a nearby rooftop in northeastern Baghdad.  Soldiers in a M1A2 Abrams tank fired a 120 mm round at the rooftop and killed two criminals. No soldiers were injured in the IED attack and no MND-B vehicles were damaged.

“Multi-National Division - Baghdad soldiers, along with our Iraqi Security Forces partners, will continue to target these criminals who undertake these cowardly attacks against innocent Iraqi civilians and Iraqi and Coalition forces,” said Col. Allen Batschelet, chief of staff, MND-B and the 4th Inf. Div. “When attacked, or when we observe an imminent attack,  we will respond with appropriate force.”

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