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| Iraq-Jordan |
| U.S. attack terror base for foreign fighters in northern Iraq |
| 2004-09-07 |
| SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM Monday, September 6th, 2004 BAGHDAD — Iraqi and U.S. troops targeted a hub for Al Qaida-inspired fighters based in Syria in northern Iraq over the weekend. Officials said units from the U.S. Army and Iraqi National Guard raided the city of Tall Afar in an attempt to destroy a haven for Islamic fighters from Syria. Officials said the force included a battalion from the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division as well as a unit from the Iraqi National Guard. "The city of Tall Afar has been a suspected haven for terrorists crossing into Iraq from Syria," the U.S. military said in a statement. The battle in Tall Afar, about 60 kilometers west of Mosul, lasted throughout Sunday, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said U.S. combat units and Iraqi forces, backed by helicopters, battled insurgents for several hours before withdrawing from Tall Afar. During the battle, the coalition force employed attack helicopters, F-16 multi-role fighters and main battle tanks while the insurgents responded with mortar and light arms gunfire. Witnesses said that on Sept. 4 snipers struck a U.S. Army OH-58D Kiowa helicopter, which was forced to make an emergency landing. At least 15 casualties were reported in Tall Afar. |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |