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01/12/2003
US kills 46 Iraqis in disputed circumstances
US troops have killed 46 Iraqis and wounded 18 more during a gun battle in the city of Samarra yesterday, in circumstances that have been disputed by Iraqi witnesses.
The US Central Command has claimed that soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse "repelled multiple ambush attempts on two separate logistic support convoys" yesterday afternoon. During the exchange of fire, the US military claims 46 were killed, 18 were wounded and eight were captured.
Five US soldiers were wounded; two sustained minor injuries – though none are in a life-threatening condition. A civilian travelling with the US troops was also wounded.
US authorities claimed that many of the dead were "found wearing Fedayeen uniforms". However, Iraqi witnesses have told reporters that a large number of civilians were among the death, after coalition forces fired indiscriminately at buildings and vehicles.
Both convoys, reported to be carrying batches of Iraq's new currency, were moving into Samarra when they were attacked with improvised explosive devices, small arms, mortars and rocket propelled grenades. The US said that the ambushes were "coordinated" and mounted "simultaneously" at around 1.30pm local time.
The US statement said: "Soldiers fought the attackers at numerous locations in both ambushes. The exchanges lasted for many minutes as the convoy vehicles moved through the city.
"[Troops] returned fire with small arms, 120mm tank rounds and 25mm cannon fire from Bradley Fighting Vehicles. In all of the clashes Coalition firepower overwhelmed the attackers, resulting in significant enemy losses."
The statement added: "Three of the buildings the attackers used for cover during the ambush were destroyed by Coalition fire."
It has also been reported that a kindergarten and a mosque suffered damage after being hit with tank shells.
US Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of operations, Combined Joint Task Force 7, said that insurgents had been picking out "soft targets". Because of those tactics, Brig Gen Kimmitt said the US and Coalition would be "more aggressive [in] military operations".
He added: "He's [the enemy's] attempting to intimidate the people of Iraq, and he's attempting to try to break the will of the coalition. He will be unsuccessful at both."
It has been the most difficult month so far for the US and its allies since hostilities began in March, with 104 Coalition soldiers killed – 79 of whom are American.
(gmcg)
The US Central Command has claimed that soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse "repelled multiple ambush attempts on two separate logistic support convoys" yesterday afternoon. During the exchange of fire, the US military claims 46 were killed, 18 were wounded and eight were captured.
Five US soldiers were wounded; two sustained minor injuries – though none are in a life-threatening condition. A civilian travelling with the US troops was also wounded.
US authorities claimed that many of the dead were "found wearing Fedayeen uniforms". However, Iraqi witnesses have told reporters that a large number of civilians were among the death, after coalition forces fired indiscriminately at buildings and vehicles.
Both convoys, reported to be carrying batches of Iraq's new currency, were moving into Samarra when they were attacked with improvised explosive devices, small arms, mortars and rocket propelled grenades. The US said that the ambushes were "coordinated" and mounted "simultaneously" at around 1.30pm local time.
The US statement said: "Soldiers fought the attackers at numerous locations in both ambushes. The exchanges lasted for many minutes as the convoy vehicles moved through the city.
"[Troops] returned fire with small arms, 120mm tank rounds and 25mm cannon fire from Bradley Fighting Vehicles. In all of the clashes Coalition firepower overwhelmed the attackers, resulting in significant enemy losses."
The statement added: "Three of the buildings the attackers used for cover during the ambush were destroyed by Coalition fire."
It has also been reported that a kindergarten and a mosque suffered damage after being hit with tank shells.
US Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, deputy director of operations, Combined Joint Task Force 7, said that insurgents had been picking out "soft targets". Because of those tactics, Brig Gen Kimmitt said the US and Coalition would be "more aggressive [in] military operations".
He added: "He's [the enemy's] attempting to intimidate the people of Iraq, and he's attempting to try to break the will of the coalition. He will be unsuccessful at both."
It has been the most difficult month so far for the US and its allies since hostilities began in March, with 104 Coalition soldiers killed – 79 of whom are American.
(gmcg)
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