United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
1st Marine Division
1stLt. Nathan Braden

Contact: BradenNJ@1mardivdm.usmc.mil

Release # 1012-04-1050

Insurgents use mosques for attacks
Oct 12, 2004

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq -- In recent weeks, First Marine Division units conducting security operations in support of Iraqi Security Forces have noticed more insurgent activity in and around the mosques of Ramadi.

The October 8 incident, in which Marines observed four men videotape the destruction of a Red Crescent Society building and run into a mosque, is just the latest in a rash of instances involving Anti-Iraqi Forces operating in and around mosques. Insurgents are known to take advantage of the protected status normally conferred upon such cultural structures.

On October 4, Marines found a large weapons cache in a field next to a mosque in Musayyib, Northern Babil Province. The cache included 82-mm and 60-mm mortar rounds, several complete mortar systems, RPG launchers and rounds, grenades, detonating devices, AK-47's, cell phones, detonation cord, and a radio transmitter.

Also on October 4, an Iraqi National Guard compound took an indirect fire attack from a mosque near Al Karmah. A Marine patrol observed several mortar rounds being fired from the mosque.

The Marines provided a cordon around the mosque, and ING soldiers entered and found two men. One of the men tested positive for gunpowder residue and was detained. The indirect fire attack on the ING compound injured two Iraqi civilians.

Finally, this afternoon, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Marines and ING members began receiving small arms fire from the Sharqi Mosque in Hit. Insurgents fired accurate and sustained small arms fire that escalated to heavy machine gun and indirect fire during the three-hour firefight at the mosque. Marines exchanged proportionate and accurate small arms and machine gun fire until insurgents began firing mortars. At that time, Marine aviation was used to deliver precision-guided munitions to target the threat.

The First Marine Division respects the religious and cultural significance represented by mosques. However, when insurgents violate the sanctity of the mosque by using the structure for military purposes, the site loses its protective status.


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Text-only version of release attached below:


INSURGENTS USE MOSQUES FOR ATTACKS.txt