Two Car Bombs Prevented, Eight Others Take Toll in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

May 18, 2007 – Iraqi and coalition forces prevented two car bomb attacks but were unable to stop eight others May 16 in Iraq, military officials reported. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, and an Iraqi army explosive ordnance disposal team stopped extremists from detonating a car bomb in the southern Baghdad neighborhood of Bayaa.

Acting on a report about a suspicious vehicle, Iraqi troops cordoned off the area and took precautions to secure residents before calling in explosives specialists for support.

Working alongside Multinational Division Baghdad troops from the 1st "Black Lions" Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, Iraqi forces identified and defused the bomb before it could be used in an attack.

"Lives were saved today thanks to the Iraqi army and their (explosive ordnance disposal) team," said Army Lt. Col. Pat Frank, commander of the Black Lions Battalion. "Their professionalism and responsiveness were tremendous and helped develop confidence among the Iraqi citizens who observed this action."

In Mosul May 16, insurgents detonated eight car bombs and used small-arms and indirect fire in attacks against Iraqi civilians, security force members and infrastructure.

Four car bombs killed one Iraqi soldier and wounded four others northwest of the city. The explosions also killed five Iraqi police members, one local civilian and destroyed two bridges.

An Iraqi army patrol at Forward Operating Base Marez, and Iraqi police members at a police station, later reported receiving small-arms and indirect fire from insurgents.

In a subsequent attack, three car bombs detonated outside a temporary jail, killing five Iraqi police members and wounding 21 others. At least 17 local civilians were wounded, military officials said.

During another assault, a car bomb exploded against the southeastern Iraqi police station followed by small-arms fire. Insurgents continued using small-arms and indirect fire to attack targets around the city, including the al Jamouri Hospital.

"The actions of these terrorists show their cowardice," said Army Col. Stephen Twitty, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. "They are determined to undermine the peace and security of the province and destroy the people's way of life at all costs."

"These attacks demonstrate the desperation of these terrorists," he said. "They have no concern for the good Iraqi people, who now must suffer from damaged hospitals, bridges and homes."

Combined forces discovered and neutralized one car bomb north of the western Iraqi police station, military officials said.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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