Officials Denounce Mosul Terror Bombing

American Forces Press Service

Jan. 24, 2008 - Senior U.S. military officials denounced yesterday's deadly terror bombing that reportedly killed at least 30 Iraqi citizens and three Iraqi soldiers and injured at least 150 civilians in the northern Iraq city of Mosul. In a statement released yesterday, Multinational Force Iraq officials offered condolences to those affected by the bombing and expressed outrage over the attack.

"The Multinational Force Iraq joins with the people and government of Iraq to express condolences to the victims and families of those who perished or were injured in the explosion today in Mosul," the statement said. "We share the outrage of the Iraqi people and we denounce the brutal enemy responsible for this attack and his wanton disregard of innocent human life.

"This indiscriminate violence, meant to reverse progress and turn Iraqis against one another, again shows the nature of this barbaric enemy," the statement continued.

The statement noted that Multinational Division North personnel are working closely with authorities to ensure they have sufficient medical supplies and humanitarian assistance in the attack's aftermath. "We stand ready to provide additional support as requested and will continue to work for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Iraq," the statement said.

The bombing "is a stark example of al Qaeda's disregard for the citizens of Iraq," Army Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, commander of Multinational Division North, said. "It also highlights their willingness to risk the lives of innocent civilians by storing weapons in civilian homes, causing limitless pain and suffering on innocent people to further their agenda."

The explosion occurred as Iraqi army units were conducting a raid of a weapons cache in western Mosul.

"Coalition forces will assist Iraqi civilian and security agencies in any way possible to assist in search and recovery efforts," Hertling said. "We offer our condolences to our Iraqi brothers; we will stand by our comrades as they respond to this tragedy and make every effort to bring the perpetrators to justice."

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)