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Iraq

Air strike kills seven terrorists, says US

2006-06-12

THE US military said seven "terrorists" linked to al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq have been killed during an air strike today near the restive Iraqi city of Baquba. "Coalition forces killed seven terrorists, wounded three, and detained an additional two terrorists during a raid in the vicinity of Baquba June 12," the military said in a statement. "The targeted terrorists have been linked to previous coalition operations and had ties to senior al-Qaeda leaders across Iraq.

"Intelligence also indicates this particular terrorist cell is involved in the facilitation of foreign fighters in the area."

The military said coalition forces received enemy machine-gun fire from a rooftop upon arriving at the objective. "Two other individuals with AK-47s had been seen fleeing that area just prior to the assault. Coalition aircraft supporting the ground force immediately suppressed the enemy fire, killing seven."

It said there were numerous women and children on the scene. "Following the assault, coalition troops discovered two children had been killed. One child was wounded and evacuated for treatment," the military said. Troops secured one rocket propelled grenade launcher, five rockets, nine AK-47 assault rifles and 20 loaded ammunition magazines.
Intelligence from the Zarkman bust?

Posted by:phil_b

#7 Here's AFP's version:

Seven Al-Qaeda "terrorists" killed in US air raid in Iraq

Mohammed Abbas, a relative of the victims, said the raid was triggered following an error on part of the local guard in the village of Hashmiyat, west of Baquba, where the air strike was carried out.
"We were sleeping on the rooftop at midnight when one of the local guards fired in the air as he saw individuals who he thought were insurgents ... unfortunately they turned out to be US troops on foot patrol," he said.
"The US forces responded fiercely and struck several houses first and later concentrated on one house. We later discovered that nine members of the house, including seven children and youngsters were killed while four members are missing."
Another witness Shahin Abdullah at the local hospital where the bodies were brought described the US attack as "fierce."
"We heard sound of explosions and airplanes in the sky. The result was that nine were killed and four are missing," she said.
She said the local guard mistook the US troops for insurgents as "we are not used to the troops doing foot patrol. They usually come in tanks and vehicles."

Surprise, surprise, surprise...

Posted by: tu3031 2006-06-12 14:08

#6 they had 3 children on the roof with them, obviously as human shields. The reporters were more worried about the children than whether any of our troops were hurt. Those kids were dead the minute these pukes took them. Unfortunate, but....

Posted by: Frank G 2006-06-12 10:18

#5 These guys are stupid for firing at us. They should just yell at us threating us, when we go in the house, they can throw the dead bodies of civilians down, and call Murtha. We'd lose in a month.

Posted by: Threarong Omort8920 2006-06-12 09:48

#4 When terrorists hide among civilians, they cause the deaths of those civilians. Basic element in the laws of war.

Posted by: Rob Crawford 2006-06-12 09:34

#3 Hmmm... Baquba?
That was my old stomping grounds. I wonder if these guys were there in 2005, and why they didn't have a go at us if they were?

Posted by: N guard 2006-06-12 09:30

#2 Have no mercy on the murderers, or those that give them refuge.

Posted by: anymouse 2006-06-12 08:50

#1 I love the bit about the women and children.
Click the link and see if it doesn't give you the impression of being Reuters, even if it doesn't say so.

Posted by: bigjim-ky 2006-06-12 08:44

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