2 Soldiers Dead; Enemy Employing New Tactic in Iraq

DoD-AFPS ^ | April 15, 2004 | Kathleen T. Rhem

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

2 Soldiers Dead; Enemy Employing New Tactic in Iraq

By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2004 – Two American soldiers died in Iraq April 14, one of them as a result of enemy action, and five others were wounded. Also in Iraq, coalition officials reported a new tactic used by terrorist forces: using aid convoys to smuggle arms.

Two attacks with improvised explosive devices near Samarrah left one soldier from Task Force Danger dead and another five wounded, according to a news release from Combined Joint Task Force 7.

The first IED attack on a convoy at about noon local time killed one soldier and wounded two. Nearby, a second attack on another convoy wounded three more soldiers, according to the release. The wounded soldiers were taken to Logistics Support Area Anaconda for medical treatment. They were listed in stable condition.

A Task Force Olympia soldier in Mosul died April 14 from "an acute cardiac event," a task force spokesman said in a release.

U.S. military officials in Mosul disputed a Reuters wire-service report that a U.S. soldier had been killed in action in Mosul. "No U.S. soldiers have been killed in action in Mosul since an improvised-explosive-device incident more than one week ago," an official said in a statement.

In restive Fallujah, where tensions remain high between Marines and the local population, a convoy of humanitarian goods was found to contain weapons and ammunition, according to CJTF 7 officials.

U.S. Marines working with Iraqi forces in the area reported finding armor- piercing rounds, aiming sights for rockets, and rifles hidden in bags of rice, grain and tea. "The man detained for transporting the weapons was wearing a poorly made Red Crescent uniform in an attempt to make the convoy look legitimate," a spokesman said in a statement.

Also in Fallujah, Marines engaged an enemy sniper, who then fled in an Iraqi ambulance. "By using the ambulances, (the enemy forces) put wounded and dying Iraqis in harm's way, preventing them the services they need to reach medical care," the spokesman said.

Operationally, the past 24 hours have been eventful for coalition forces in Iraq. Marines in Kharma, near Fallujah, repelled an attack by "a significant number" of anti-Iraqi forces on a defensive position near a residential neighborhood. Local residents later told the Marines the rebel forces had virtually held them hostage in their own homes recently.

Through a series of raids, U.S. Marines and soldiers netted several suspects and weapons caches in Anbar Province, according to CJTF 7 officials.

• Near Habbiniyah, soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team turned up an IED factory. The soldiers discovered parts for making IEDs, weapons and a suspected IED testing area. Soldiers killed 16 enemy combatants and detained another 10.

• Soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team also captured seven enemy suspected of launching IED and mortar attacks near Khalidiyah, just southeast of Ramadi. Soldiers recovered four rocket-propelled-grenade rounds, an RPG launcher, an IED triggering device attached to 100 feet of wire, and plastic explosives.

• Marines in Ramadi conducted a cordon-and-search mission and detained seven enemy after finding five sticks of dynamite, grenades and blasting caps in two different houses.

• A raid on a smuggler's house in Fallujah turned up hidden weapons. Sixteen men were detained.

  Marines and soldiers also continue to assist local residents whenever possible, officials said.

• Soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team came to the aid of three Iraqi men in Ramadi after their fuel truck caught on fire. The soldiers rendered first aid to the injured men and remained on the scene until an Iraqi ambulance arrived.

• Soldiers in Ramadi visited a glass factory to assess needed repairs to a water-cooling tower the plant manager said was burned in a fire.

Related Sites:
Combined Joint Task Force 7
1st Marine Expeditionary Force
1st Brigade Combat Team

[facedown]

Also in Fallujah, Marines engaged an enemy sniper, who then fled in an Iraqi ambulance.

A page from the Pali playbook.

[olde north church]

I can think of an effective tactic that would trump any the enemy could think of.

[sarasota]

I remember hearing about this "new tactic" from day one.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Two attacks with improvised explosive devices near Samarrah left one soldier from Task Force Danger dead and another five wounded..

In restive Fallujah... a convoy of humanitarian goods was found to contain weapons and ammunition...

Marines in Kharma, near Fallujah, repelled an attack by "a significant number" of anti-Iraqi forces on a defensive position near a residential neighborhood. Local residents later told the Marines the rebel forces had virtually held them hostage in their own homes recently.

 

Near Habbiniyah, soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team turned up an IED factory... killed 16 enemy combatants and detained another 10.

Soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team also captured seven enemy suspected of launching IED and mortar attacks near Khalidiyah, just southeast of Ramadi.

Marines in Ramadi conducted a cordon-and-search mission and detained seven enemy...A raid on a smuggler's house in Fallujah turned up hidden weapons. Sixteen men were detained...

 

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[Archangelsk]

How do you know if the TIQ (terrorist in question) wasn't Palestinian?

[Publius6961]

U.S. Marines working with Iraqi forces in the area reported finding armor- piercing rounds, aiming sights for rockets, and rifles hidden in bags of rice, grain and tea. "The man detained for transporting the weapons was wearing a poorly made Red Crescent uniform in an attempt to make the convoy look legitimate," a spokesman said in a statement.

Also in Fallujah, Marines engaged an enemy sniper, who then fled in an Iraqi ambulance. "By using the ambulances, (the enemy forces) put wounded and dying Iraqis in harm's way, preventing them the services they need to reach medical care," the spokesman said.

The brainless among us continue to parrot the notion that to take effective action against this sort of barbarity is "lowering ourselves" to their level, and that we are "better than that".
I own a different perspective. If I don't rise above it, and stop it, prevent it, respond to it in kind, I am lowering the value of my culture, my country, my community and my family to their level.
That is never going to happen.

[50sDad]

Jeez, would you trust an ambulance run by "the Red Crescent"?

[Diogenesis]

Old tactic in a new theatre.
Are these also paid for with money from Americans who gave to the Red Cross?

[mass55th]

"Also in Iraq, coalition officials reported a new tactic used by terrorist forces: using aid convoys to smuggle arms."

Well DUH!!

[SAMWolf]

using aid convoys to smuggle arms

That's not a new tactic, The Palistinians have been using it for years, plus hidding in Mosques, schools and civilians is the only way they can fight. They suck as real soldiers that's why they have to use terror tactics.

[r9etb]

I remember hearing about this "new tactic" from day one.

What they're doing with these "new tactics" is ensuring that Americans will loathe the sight of a salamikaze and want him very messily dead.

Americans can be ruthless if they see their enemies as sub-human (as the Japanese discovered in WWII). The salamikazes are doing a good job of convincing folks that they're sub-human....

[r9etb]

The brainless among us continue to parrot the notion that to take effective action against this sort of barbarity is "lowering ourselves" to their level, and that we are "better than that".

What a stupid statement.

[JeeperFreeper]

Thanks RC: Good post. Iraqi citizens "held hostage in own home" by terrorists--- al-Jazeera will give that about as much play as, say, NBC, CBS, CNN, etc.

[lowbridge]

Also in Iraq, coalition officials reported a new tactic used by terrorist forces: using aid convoys to smuggle arms.

"The man detained for transporting the weapons was wearing a poorly made Red Crescent uniform in an attempt to make the convoy look legitimate," a spokesman said in a statement.

Also in Fallujah, Marines engaged an enemy sniper, who then fled in an Iraqi ambulance.

Old tactic actually. The palestinians were caught doing this a while ago.

. Marines in Kharma, near Fallujah, repelled an attack by "a significant number" of anti-Iraqi forces on a defensive position near a residential neighborhood. Local residents later told the Marines the rebel forces had virtually held them hostage in their own homes recently.

See? They seek innocent people to hide behind.

[WOSG]

Fallujah held hostage, day 10

[JoeSchem]

The brainless among us continue to parrot the notion that to take effective action against this sort of barbarity is "lowering ourselves" to their level, and that we are "better than that".

I own a different perspective. If I don't rise above it, and stop it, prevent it, respond to it in kind, I am lowering the value of my culture, my country, my community and my family to their level.

How do we fight on their level? Pull out of Iraq and let them invade our country? Then we can snipe at them!

[7.62 x 51mm]

"The salamikazes are doing a good job of convincing folks that they're sub-human...."

Since they first struck back in the 80s, I've never doubted it. After 9-11, I'm totally convinced they're less than animals.

[BushisTheMan]

I advise all my friends not to give to the Red Cross.

[Publius6961]

How do we fight on their level? Pull out of Iraq and let them invade our country? Then we can snipe at them!

Of course not. I would rather snipe them at their home; stomp the roach nest right where it is.