MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790
 
Press Release A090106a
January 06, 2009
Operations help protect Iraqi citizens and communities throughout Iraq

BAGHDAD – One terrorist was killed during a force operation in Mosul Sunday targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq military leader and improvised explosive device facilitator.

Forces attempted to stop a vehicle assessed to be driven by the suspected terrorist. The driver of the vehicle ignored the force’s orders to stop and continued to accelerate. Coalition forces, following established procedures, gave warnings and fired a disabling shot in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

However, the driver continued to accelerate and drove through an Iraqi Army checkpoint. As the vehicle was going through a second Iraqi Army checkpoint, the Iraqi Soldiers engaged the vehicle in an attempt to stop it. Coalition forces re-engaged the vehicle and it finally stopped.

One terrorist was killed during the engagement. A woman in the vehicle was also killed, and another woman and man were injured.

The two wounded civilians received immediate treatment by forces on the scene and were evacuated to a Coalition force hospital to receive further care.

In a separate incident, in Baqubah, a passenger in a vehicle was mortally wounded after the driver of the vehicle failed to respond to repeated warning signals from a convoy.

The Soldiers were attempting to pass through a traffic intersection when the vehicle approached the convoy. Although the Soldiers gave several warning signals for the driver to stop, the vehicle continued towards the convoy and the Soldiers perceived a deadly threat.  Given the potential danger the vehicle presented to the convoy and the driver’s repeated failure to respond to warnings, U.S. forces took action to disable the vehicle.

One of the disabling shots, intended to stop the vehicle, struck the passenger who was then treated by the patrol’s medic and taken to a U.S. medical facility. The individual died of wounds. The driver of the vehicle was unharmed. This incident is under investigation.

Iraqi and U.S. forces and Iraqi citizens have been recent targets of suicide-vehicle improvised explosive devices in Baqubah and Diyala province.  Perceiving hostile intent in these incidents, Iraqi and Coalition forces will continue to exercise their right of self-defense when faced with potentially deadly threats, as permitted under the Security Agreement.

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