Terrorists Strike Italian Headquarters in Iraq; More Weapons Seized

DoD - American Forces Press Service ^ | Nov. 12, 2003 | John D. Banusiewicz

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Terrorists Strike Italian Headquarters in Iraq; More Weapons Seized

By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2003 – At least 22 people were killed today when two vehicles crashed the gate of the Italian military headquarters in Nasiriyah, Iraq, and one exploded.

News reports say the death toll is expected to rise. The blast leveled the building, and people are presumed to be trapped under the rubble. Eight Iraqis and 14 Italian military police and soldiers accounted for the preliminary death toll number.

Late Nov. 11, a Task Force Iron Horse soldier died when his convoy was struck by an improvised explosive device north of Baghdad, coalition officials said. No one else was injured in the blast. The soldier's name is being withheld until next of kin are notified.

Iraqi police found and defused an improvised explosive device in an ambulance Nov. 11, U.S. Central Command officials said. When police tried to stop the ambulance, the driver sped off, causing an accident. Three occupants fled on foot, and the bomb was discovered when the abandoned vehicle was searched.

Meanwhile, in overnight raids that concluded this morning, 4th Infantry Division soldiers took 36 suspected insurgents into custody, including the man believed to have shot down a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Tikrit on Nov. 7, and five suspected accomplices. Six U.S. soldiers died aboard the Black Hawk.

Combined Joint Task Force 7 officials reported that Task Force Iron Horse soldiers conducted 225 patrols and four raids Nov. 10, seizing five AK-47 assault rifles, 19 rifles, one pistol, two grenades, two 40 mm rounds of anti- aircraft ammunition, 1,500 155 mm artillery shells, 150 S-5K rockets, 800 BM-21 rockets and two improvised explosive devices. Officials said 28 of the patrols were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi police, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and the country's Border Guard.

Also on Nov. 10, information from an Iraqi citizen led Task Force Iron Horse soldiers to a large weapons cache in Kirkuk. The soldiers found 5,000 artillery rounds ranging from 100 mm to 130 mm caliber shells, 1,000 82 mm mortars, 500 rounds of 60 mm mortars, 300 57 mm rockets, and 300 BM-21 rockets. Ammunition similar to this has been used against coalition forces in improvised explosive devices and attacks throughout Iraq, officials said.

In three separate Nov. 9 incidents, Task Force Iron Horse soldiers found a cache of 800 rockets south of Baji, another 150 rockets north of Tikrit, and 1,500 rounds of 155 mm artillery shells north of Balad.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Meanwhile, in overnight raids that concluded this morning, 4th Infantry Division soldiers took 36 suspected insurgents into custody, including the man believed to have shot down a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Tikrit on Nov. 7, and five suspected accomplices. Six U.S. soldiers died aboard the Black Hawk.

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DoD security report ~ bad news and good.
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[vbmoneyspender]

Meanwhile, in overnight raids that concluded this morning, 4th Infantry Division soldiers took 36 suspected insurgents into custody, including the man believed to have shot down a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Tikrit on Nov. 7, and five suspected accomplices. Six U.S. soldiers died aboard the Black Hawk.

Bingo!

[Theo]

was the truck bomb a Red Crescent ambulance?

[OneTimeLurker]

This is the first absolute confirmation I have seen that it was shot down. I have heard obvious speculation but never confirmation.

[Coop]

Two big seizures of weapon caches, one coming directly from an Iraqi informant. Excellent news (which the world media chooses to ignore).

[gathersnomoss]

That's the ticket rag heads, just keep ticking off the world. Humanity will find a place for you and your virgins soon. So get yourself ready for the ultimate dream date.

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks again for all of your posting of the GOOD NEWS that happens everyday in Iraq. Shame that the mainstream "leftist" media doesn't see fit to balance the "bad" news with the Good News that is happening every day in Iraq. The media makes it sound like everything is always bad. Bob Arnott, NBC, has been one of the few positive bright spots in reporting good things that happen in Iraq. Wish we could clone him.

[OXENinFLA]

BUMP!!!!

[blackie]

We're rounding up the bad guys ~ Bump!

[Ben Chad]

Two big seizures of weapon caches, one coming directly from an Iraqi informant. Excellent news (which the world media chooses to ignore).

Does anyone know how many seizures like this we will have to make to subdue this hellhole?

[Coop]

Yes

[kaktuskid]

Not smart mr. terrorist going after the Italians...the "boys" may be paying you a visit.

Saddam meet the Sopranos!!

[Steve_Seattle]

Damn, that country is loaded with weaponry. No wonder the kids were starving - all the money was going to rocket-propelled grenades etc.

[PhilDragoo]

Meanwhile, in overnight raids that concluded this morning, 4th Infantry Division soldiers took 36 suspected insurgents into custody, including the man believed to have shot down a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Tikrit on Nov. 7, and five suspected accomplices. Six U.S. soldiers died aboard the Black Hawk.

The man believed to have shot down a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter has won a free ride on a helicopter--

--at the end of one hundred feet of line at an altitude of ninety feet.

[windchime]

Bump!