Karbala Attackers Used U.S. Army-Styled Uniforms to Gain Access

American Forces Press Service ^

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2007 – Insurgents who attacked the Provincial Joint Coordination Center in Karbala, Iraq, were dressed in U.S. Army-styled combat uniforms and carried U.S.-type weapons, convincing Iraqi checkpoints to allow them passage, military officials released today.

During the Jan. 20 attack, the enemy fighters captured and killed four U.S. soldiers. Another soldier was also killed and three others wounded in the attack on the center, located about 30 miles south of Baghdad.

Local officials and Iraqi and coalition security forces meet at the center to address security needs.

"The precision of the attack, the equipment used and the possible use of explosives to destroy the military vehicles in the compound suggests that the attack was well rehearsed prior to execution," said Army Lt. Col. Scott Bleichwehl, spokesman for Multinational Division Baghdad. "The attackers went straight to where Americans were located in the provincial government facility, bypassing the Iraqi police in the compound."

At about 5 p.m. that day, a convoy consisting of at least five sport utility vehicles entered the Karbala compound and about 12 armed militants attacked the American troops with rifle fire and hand grenades, officials said.

One soldier was killed and three others wounded by a hand grenade thrown into the center's main office. Other explosions within the compound destroyed three Humvees.

The attackers withdrew with four captured U.S. soldiers and drove out of the Karbala province into the neighboring Babil province. Iraqi police began trailing the assailants after they drew suspicion at a checkpoint.

Three soldiers were found dead and one fatally wounded, along with five abandoned vehicles, near the town of Mahawil. Two were found handcuffed together in the back of one of the vehicles. The other two were found nearby on the ground. One soldier was found alive but died en route to a nearby hospital. All suffered from gunshot wounds.

Also recovered at the site were U.S. Army-type combat uniforms, boots, radios and a non-U.S. made rifle, officials said.

Officials are investigating the breach in security at the center. "We are looking at all the evidence to determine who or what was responsible for the breakdown in security at the compound and the perpetration of the assault," Bleichwehl said. "Our hearts go out to the families of the fallen warriors from Karbala. They were true heroes who fought to the last.”

The names of four of the soldiers have been released. The fifth name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Killed were:

-- Army 1st Lt. Jacob N. Fritz, 25, of Verdon, Neb.;

-- Army Spc. Johnathan B. Chism, 22, of Gonzales, La.;

-- Army Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Cortland, N.Y.; and

-- Army Pvt. Johnathon M. Millican, 20, of Trafford, Ala.

The soldiers were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

(From Multinational Corps Iraq and DoD news releases.)

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!

WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!

All the News the MSM refuses to use!

[avital2]

using the other armies' uniforms: old Arab, particularly Palestinian trick.

[ko_kyi]

"using the other armies' uniforms: old Arab, particularly Palestinian trick."

And a war crime under the Geneva conventions, IIRC. But you won't hear that in the press.

[SolidWood]

Hate to say it... but this seems to be true.

Before believing any MSM story, I want official confirmation. I hate to say it... but now this crime has been confirmed.

God Bless those brave soldiers and death and destruction upon the murderers!

[Alia]

"We are looking at all the evidence to determine who or what was responsible for the breakdown in security at the compound and the perpetration of the assault," Bleichwehl said. "Our hearts go out to the families of the fallen warriors from Karbala. They were true heroes who fought to the last.”

Good; find the traitors from within. The spies.

Blessings upon the fallen, May Light Perpetual Shine Upon Them.

Their families and loved ones in prayer.

[SandRat]

and a CLEAR VIOLATION OF THE GHC; but you'll not hear that from the left.

[mtbopfuyn]

High time we started punishing them in the only way they seem to understand with stonings and beheadings, but noooo that just wouldn't be the civilized way.

[353FMG]

We're not fighting the war in accordance with the rules set forth by the Geneva Convention. If that were so, we would execute every one in civilian clothes who fires at a uniformed American serviceman - man, woman or child. The advantage of surprise is mostly on the side of the terrorist.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping....alerting others.....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

military officials released today......

It's not an AP Story....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

(From Multinational Corps Iraq and DoD news releases.)

[MEG33]

~ Freedom Isn't Free ~ >

I have fought the good fight
I have finished my course
I have kept the faith
2 Timothy 4:7

~ We Honor Our Fallen Warriors ~

Picture and verse courtesy of MsBehavin

[bnelson44]

I don't know. Smells like an inside IP job to me.

[SolidWood]

I realize that.
This was first reported by AP, and as always I was skeptical.
I always wait for official confirmation, which (unfortunately) was given by this release.

[WVNan]

An attack like that takes a Looootttttt of money. All those SUVs cost some bucks. Definitely an inside job too. Americans are going to have to keep guards on theirselves. Can't trust the Iraqi troops to protect them. This kind of attack really makes me even more angry at the traitors in America. The RATS.

[bnelson44]

We don't know the SUVs were not stolen.

But I agree, it would take money.

I am not sure who did it though. There are a number of suspects right now in my mind. Could even be simple crooks after ransoming the Americans.

[struwwelpeter]

Too sophisticated and well-equipped for a local jihadist, had to be direct from Teheran - especially the timing, after our 'detention' of Iranian 'diplomats' the week before.

[mjaneangels@aolcom]

"The story said that the terrorists first had to pass through Iraqi "police", of whom it is likely were part of the whole plan. This is one reason why it's been so difficult to defeat the enemy in Iraq, the enemy could be just about any one you see not wearing a Coalition uniform."

The story also said the terrorists were wearing uniforms like US uniforms, they were driving in SUVs like diplomats use, they were wearing boots like US troops wear and even had weapons that looked like the kind US troops have.