PRESS RELEASE | Feb. 6, 2008
UPDATE: Coalition forces kill two terrorists; woman killed
By None , MNFI

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Feb. 6, 2008) – Numerous media reports have mischaracterized events in Tuesday’s operation in Ad Dawr.

While conducting an intelligence-driven operation in pursuit of an al-Qaeda terrorist, Coalition forces approached the target house and, upon attempting entry, were confronted by a man who fired at the soldiers. The ground force returned fire, and the individual continued to fire at Coalition forces through a window, slightly wounding one soldier. The ground force called for the occupants of the house to come out multiple times, but were ignored.

Ground forces then entered the house and cleared the first two rooms without encountering any enemy. As forces entered a third room, an armed man was holding a woman as a human shield and aiming his weapon at the soldiers. Disregarding his personal safety, a soldier was able to push the woman aside and engage and kill the terrorist.

Seeing another armed man in the room and perceiving hostile intent, the soldier engaged and killed the individual. Once the enemy was neutralized, the soldiers swept the house and found a woman and young girl who appeared to have been shot during the initial engagement. The woman was dead, and the girl had been shot in the legs. A military medic began treating the child prior to evacuating her to a military medical facility. Three other women were also found unharmed in the house.

“MNF-I regrets the loss of innocent life in this operation, but the blame rests squarely with the enemy, who is willing to hide among family members and attempt to use them as human shields,” said Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, MNF-I spokesman. The incident remains under investigation.

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