Active Unit News

American Troops Face Gunfire in Iraqi Town
By Bobby Eberle
Talon News
May 27, 2003
(Talon News) -- One U.S. soldier was killed and seven others wounded when gunfire erupted in the Iraqi town of Al Fallujah. According to U.S. Central Command, a hostile force of unknown size attacked a U.S. Army unit early Tuesday morning with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. CENTCOM reports that the attackers initially fired from a mosque in the city. "U.S. Army Soldiers responded decisively with concentrated fire from Bradley Fighting Vehicles, crew-served weapons and small arms. They killed two of the attackers and captured six others," the CENTCOM statement read. The use of religious sites, such as mosques or churches, for military purposes is a violation of the "Law of War," CENTCOM points out. "Coalition forces strive to honor and respect the sanctity of religious places and locations such as Islamic Mosques. However, coalition forces have an inherent right to defend themselves from attack, and will always seek to do so in such a way that causes the minimum amount of harm to innocent life, protected sites and civilian property," CENTCOM states. The wounded Soldiers were evacuated by both ground and air to military aid stations in the area. CENTCOM reports that a U.S. Army Medevac helicopter was damaged during the fight when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle inadvertently struck it while maneuvering into a firing position. Meanwhile, coalition forces continue efforts to bring security and stability to Iraq. CENTCOM is reporting on Tuesday that the U.K. 7th Armored Brigade broke up a "major crime ring" in Al Basrah that was stealing copper from various sources, including unexploded ordnance and electric cable. "The criminals were melting and smuggling it out of the region. They detained 20 Iraqis; 12 were released shortly afterwards because they were minors. The unit confiscated large quantities of copper wire, brass ammunition casings, a boat and two foundries. The theft of electric cable has resulted in considerable damage to both the oil infrastructure and electrical power grids," CENTCOM reports. Soldiers from the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment conducted a raid in Baghdad Monday where a local automobile "chop shop" was operating and shut it down. Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, raided a site in the Bayji area where they suspected Fedayeen personnel were hiding. They detained 18 people, including two Fedayeen leaders. CENTCOM also reports that Marines from the 1st Battalion, Fourth Marines conducted a cordon and search operation in Al Hillah Monday to find Iraqis who were wanted by coalition Forces. Information they gained from the operation enabled them to identify a suspected safe house for former Regime members. They detained two Iraqis for questioning. Coalition forces conducted 18 raids and 2,057 patrols throughout Iraq over the last day. Of those patrols, coalition forces conducted 201 with Iraqi police. They also detained or arrested 207 individuals. Copyright © 2003 Talon News -- All rights reserved.