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| Iraq | |
| Cross border attack in Iraq | |
| 2010-10-24 | |
at 1047d, TF 5-73 reports a direct attack in the Diyala province, e of Balad Ruz, at grid 38snc 8296 2128. summary of incident along Iraq-Iran border on 7 sep 06 this morning, a PLT/c/5-73cav participated in a partnership route recon, led by DBE ---- ----------, and an IA SQD from 3rd co, 2-1/5ia (IA SQD leader and 5 soldiers). CF LT ******** is the platoon leader. the recon was along a known route which LT ---------- had traveled frequently and established checkpoints along this route. PLTs task and purpose was to conduct a zone/route recon as joint operation with IA and DBE in order to identify key infiltration routes into Iraq and to assess the c2 capability and cooperation between the IA & DBE. ---- ---------- rode in the lead IA truck with the IA squad, while ---- --------, the IA SQD leader, road in a PLT vehicle. Special instructions given to CF LT ********* were as follows: use main roads to get to castle access roads; the DBE castles along the border. No cross country movement from castle to castle was authorized due to minefield dangers. They were also to not to come within 1km of border. Patrol used BFT and GPS to confirm their location at all times. Focus was not the Iranians themselves but infiltration routes and the movement of accelerants. All acknowledged special sensitivities around the border due to UN sanctions and Iranian concern that us was attempting to mount an invasion. They also noted a previous article about British who also moved forces towards southern Iranian border. As the patrol approached the Iraqi border, ---- ----------, in the lead vehicle, stopped the patrol. He and the IA squad were 200m ahead of patrol main body. ---- ---------- identified this point as a frequent crossing point. ---- ---------- identified 2 Iranians run from the vicinity of this location back to Iranian side of the border. The patrol scanned the area with their LRAS. While moving forward to the IA vehicle ahead, an armed Iranian soldier riding a motorcycle approached the IA vehicle. That this point the Iraqi lead vehicle was 75m ahead of us main body. The IA soldiers stopped the motorcycle, and dismounted their truck and walked approx 100m to the front of their vehicle to talk to Iranian soldier. With their LRAS, the patrol scanned the Iranian border castle approx 2200-2500m away and identified a fighting position west of the castle containing 2 x t62s and a DSKA. Within approx. 2 minutes of the IA stopping the motorcycle, two Iranian trucks moved south down the winding road from the castle and 8 soldiers dismounted each truck (16 total). The Iranians started to talk to the IA patrol, drawing the squad away from their vehicle, apparently to separate the two in order to deny their ability to leave expeditiously. An Iranian border captain linked up with the IA element at the lead of the column, claiming to want to discuss border crossing problems. The 2 groups of 8 Iranian soldiers imt d and took up tactical positions north of the column on the east and west sides of the road. The Iranian soldiers were armed with small arms weapons. CF LT *********** called his lead truck (100m to his front) telling the squad leader to motion to the IA that they (the IA) needed to go. When that didn't work he sent his interpreter, ---------- (a titan local national hired from FOB Caldwell) to go forward to tell the IA that they all needed to depart. The interpreter did so, but returned to CF LT ********* to say that everything was ok and the Iranians wanted to have a meeting to talk about the border. CF LT ************ moved forward far enough to see the IA all off their truck, gun unmanned, with their gear off, showing pictures to Iranian soldiers and having tea with the Iranians. CF LT ********* had the interpreter once again tell the IA that they must load up and go. Two more Iranian trucks appeared and 8 soldiers each (16 total) dismounted and tactically maneuvered into tactical positions further south on the direct east and west sides of CF LT ************** platoon column. Weapons carried were ak47s, RPKS and RPGS. The Iranians were clearly intent upon encircling the patrol. CF LT *********** had his PLT start to slowly back their trucks up (south). At this point, ---------- (interpreter) went running back from the lead position telling CF LT ******* not to move or the Iranians would engage the column. CF LT *********** held his guys and then moved forward to try and motion the IA to get in their truck and go. He then had ---------- go all the way forward to tell the IA that he was low on gas and must return. ---------- returned and said that everything was ok - the Iranians said they would give them gas and wanted to continue the meeting. CF LT ********** then told his guys they were leaving. The Iranians to the northwest of the column started to engage the patrol before CF LT ********** trucks moved. CF LT ********* gave the command to return fire and retrograde back to the check point 14 (vic nc 627243). The entire column was under fire and returned fire as they conducted u-turns to leave the area. An RPG gunner who had moved to the southern end of the column and was on the road trying to engage CF LT *********** PLT was engaged and killed by a .50 cal gunner. While breaking contact and returning to cp14, the PLT received RPG and indirect fire all the way back to cp 14 - well inside Iraqi territory and west of the border castle. The entire engagement lasted 1:30 to 2:00 minutes. As the PLT broke contact - Iranian indirect fire landed around them for approx 5:00 minutes. Total number of Iranian casualties is unknown, minus the RPG gunner who was killed in the .50 cal engagement. Upon arrival at cp14, it was obvious that the IA soldiers had not followed. We are not sure if the IA attempted to remount their vehicle or not. Probably not though, as the Iranians appear to have deliberately separated them from their vehicle. Throughout the day we continued to try to reestablish observation of the IA soldiers, via ground surveillance, shadow uav and global hawk, to no avail. Col ********** CDR 3/4id, received word this evening from the MANDALI POE JCC that the Iranians have informed them they have 4 IA soldiers and a DBE LT in detention. They did not mention the interpreter, nor a fifth IA soldier. We have submitted an rtq to the corps PAO, and recommend releasing to try getting out ahead of any Iranian claims of crossing the border (exasperated by us killing one of their soldiers). As of 081800d: MNC-I still considers the 7 personnel DUSTWUN until we have proof of their status. There were 19 us soldiers (1 officer and 18 enlisted) present in the patrol in 4 uah's. All were from 5-73 cav. Closed 171916jsept06 Update: 041200c2006∞ 5 IA and 1 BP released from Iranian custody, interpreter to be released with in next 48 hours. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |