Iraqi Forces Respond to Attacks in Mosul
American Forces Press Service
MOSUL, Iraq, Aug. 4, 2004 - Iraqi police and Iraqi National Guard soldiers here
responded quickly today to a series of coordinated attacks targeting police,
ING and multinational forces that left at least 14 Iraqi citizens dead and 31
wounded.
No Iraqi security forces or multinational forces were killed in the attacks.
Iraqi security forces repelled all of the attacks, killing eight terrorists and
capturing two others who are being held by Iraqi police pending further
investigation.
Multinational forces served in a supporting role, providing additional support
where and when the Iraqi leaders involved in the attacks requested it.
The speedy response by ISF returned stability to the city and earned the
governor's praise for their success stopping the attacks, Multinational Force
Iraq officials said. "What has happened today, destruction by burglars and
criminals, this proves that they are not real Iraqis," said Ninevah province
Gov. Duraid Kashmoula. "The Iraqi police, the National Guard and the Facilities
Protective Service personnel faced them and killed or arrested many of them."
During their response, police confiscated a large cache of weapons that
contained rocket-propelled grenades, rifles, mortars, explosives and munitions.
The attacks occurred over a three-hour period and began at about 11:30 a.m.
when terrorists fired on the Al Karama police station in eastern Mosul. No
damage or injuries were reported in that incident. At about 1 p.m., an Iraqi
police patrol was engaged with small-arms fire and RPGs in southern Mosul. The
police returned fire and reported no injuries in that incident.
Attackers also attempted to disrupt the power and health care system in the
city by attacking the Mosul Power Plant and the Al Jahmouri hospital in west-
central Mosul with small-arms fire and RPGs.
Kashmoula imposed a citywide curfew that began at 3 p.m. today and will last
until 6 a.m. Aug. 5. In an evening address to the people of Ninevah province,
the governor stressed the need for calm.
"I am asking from you, my beloved people of Mosul, to stay calm and do not be
afraid, because we will do our best to stop anyone who might bother you,"
Kashmoula said.
Terrorists are targeting security forces as well as facilities that provide for
the health and well being of citizens of Mosul. These attacks underscore the
desperation of terrorists in their attempts to halt the progress of democracy
and prosperity in Iraq, coalition military officials said.
Since the transfer of sovereignty on June 28, Iraqi Security Forces continue to
assume the majority of the responsibility for maintaining the overall security
of the region, they added.
(Courtesy of the Coalition Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq.)
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