CAR BOMB ATTACK THWARTED NEAR BAGHDAD MOSQUE

	NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

September 21, 2004
Release Number: 04-09-69

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAR BOMB ATTACK THWARTED NEAR BAGHDAD MOSQUE

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi Police and National Guard troops prevented a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device from inflicting civilian casualties Sept. 21 in western Baghdad.

At about 11:30 a.m. a suspicious vehicle approached a checkpoint manned by Iraqi National Guard troops near the Mula Hawaysh Mosque. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene when approached by security forces. Iraqi police called in Iraqi and U.S. explosive ordnance teams to investigate.

The area was quickly cordoned off and secured by EOD and the troops. The vehicle exploded at about 12:50 p.m. There were no injuries to military members or civilians near the blast. EOD experts on-site estimated the blast to be the work of more than 500 pounds of explosives. Windows were blown out of the mosque, and the northeastern wall of the structure was damaged by the car bomb.

“This incident could have been deadly, if it wasn’t for the watchful eyes of Iraqi Security Forces,” said Maj. Phil Smith, the deputy public affairs officer for the 1st Ca2valry Division. “It is just another example of the utter disregard of terrorists for the lives and well-being of the Iraqi people.”

1 posted on 09/21/2004 5:47:45 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

B-b-b-b-but what about the Holy Mosque???!!!!

Where are the cries of outrage from the Arab Street??!!

2 posted on 09/21/2004 5:50:31 AM PDT by Westbrook

To: Cannoneer No. 4; TEXOKIE; xzins; Alamo-Girl; blackie; SandRat; Calpernia; SAMWolf; prairiebreeze; ..

Iraqi Police and National Guard troops prevented a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device from inflicting civilian casualties Sept. 21 in western Baghdad.

Good news, ping!

3 posted on 09/21/2004 5:50:43 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

CAR BOMB ATTACK THWARTED NEAR BAGHDAD MOSQUE

I am sure Dan Rather will tell me tonight.

4 posted on 09/21/2004 5:52:19 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

Thank God! Please lord, let all of our enemies fall on their swords today.

5 posted on 09/21/2004 5:54:21 AM PDT by AmericanMade1776 ((John Kerry is now in full retreat))

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

What I want to know, is why when there are people lined up for police or security jobs, both ends of that street aren't blocked off with snipers on the roofs of nearby buildings? Why is the idiocy of car bombing these applicants repeated endlessly. I expect MORE from security professionals, or the US who are supposedly advising the Iraqis.

6 posted on 09/21/2004 5:55:06 AM PDT by Socratic (Kerry/Edwards - Forging a New Reality)

They could also use sandbags or cement barriers on both ends of the
block to keep car-bombers away.

7 posted on 09/21/2004 6:18:15 AM PDT by tiamat ("Just a Bronze-Age Gal, Trapped in a Techno-World!")

"They could also use sandbags or cement barriers on both ends of the block to keep car-bombers away."

Exactly - at the very minimum. How many times does something have to happen before the "pros" wise up?

8 posted on 09/21/2004 6:29:29 AM PDT by Socratic (Kerry/Edwards - Forging a New Reality)

What's really sad is that *I* am a little white gal, raised in the 'Burbs and educated in public schools and *I* can think of stuff like that!

( Of course, I hang around with some Bad Influences! LOL!)

9 posted on 09/21/2004 6:33:30 AM PDT by tiamat ("Just a Bronze-Age Gal, Trapped in a Techno-World!")

"...I hang around with some Bad Influences!"

LOL (Ya sure do................me too).

10 posted on 09/21/2004 6:41:13 AM PDT by Socratic (Kerry/Edwards - Forging a New Reality)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

God bless our troops. I happy nobody was hurt. Too bad about the mosque (surviving).

11 posted on 09/21/2004 6:42:18 AM PDT by manic4organic (Go. Fight. Win.)

To: manic4organic

12 posted on 09/21/2004 6:42:45 AM PDT by manic4organic (Go. Fight. Win.)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

13 posted on 09/21/2004 7:57:11 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

14 posted on 09/21/2004 9:34:42 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)

They could also use sandbags or cement barriers on both ends of the block to keep car-bombers away.

Do you expect them to do this on every block? It's just not possible. There could never be enough police and guards, and it would make it impossible for the citizens to have anything resembling a normal life.
Would you accept living in a place where you couldn't drive off the block?

15 posted on 09/21/2004 5:56:10 PM PDT by speekinout

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