The alert action of Iraqi Army Soldiers prevented a suicide bomber from reaching her intended target in the Rusafa District at approximately 10 a.m. Feb. 17. As a result of their quick reaction the only death resulting from the aborted attack was that of the female suicide bomber. Two Iraqi citizens were injured in the blast.
The attempted attack took place when a woman, who appeared to be a beggar, was noticed having a bulky protrusion around her mid-section, said Iraqi Col. Fahdel, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division. Alert Iraqi Army soldiers quickly realized her intent and ordered her to raise her hands, said Fahdel. At that time, she raised one of her hands but had an object with wires attached concealed in her other hand. Sensing the potential danger, the Soldiers fired three rounds. The woman staggered back to a nearby shop, where the blast detonated.
It is unknown whether she detonated the blast herself or if it was detonated by another source. The SoldiersÂ’ quick action prevented the potential loss of a large number of civilian lives. |