Two Soldiers Killed, Seven Wounded in Baqubah Fighting

[seruriermarshal]

Two Soldiers Killed, Seven Wounded in Baqubah Fighting

TIKRIT, Iraq - Two Coalition Soldiers were killed and seven wounded when their patrol was ambushed in Baqubah about 5:30 a.m. June 24.

Insurgents attacked the Coalition Forces with small arms, improvised explosive devices, and rocket-propelled grenades.

In other action:


Insurgents attacked the Blue Dome government building in central Baqubah with mortars, RPGs and small arms about 5:30 a.m.

About 30 insurgents attacked a Baqubah police station with small arms and RPGs about 5:40 a.m.

Coalition aircraft dropped three 500-pound bombs on insurgent strong points about 9 a.m.

The home of the Diyala province chief of police was set on fire while he responded to attacks around Baqubah. The police chief and an Iraqi police quick reaction force responded to the attack.

Wounded Coalition soldiers were taken to a military medical facility for treatment.

Their names are being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.

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From (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/media-information/june2004/040624b.htm)

REGIMENTAL PRAYER

Almighty, merciful, and loving Father,
you are the one who hears all our prayers and grants our petitions.

We ask you to remember, as we do,
the tremendous sacrifice made by those who went before us.
They have given their lives so that we might live and breathe freely.
We ask you to receive them into your hands.

Father, give us the strength and wisdom to learn from their example,
to uphold freedom and life at home and around the world.

Keep us vigilant as we guard the frontiers of freedom.

Give our leaders the wisdom and the strength to lead well.

Grant all of us courage and confidence.
Be, for all of us, troopers, a wise counsel in keeping peace
and a strong shield for us against our enemies.
Oh heavenly Father, give us the determination
that the peace and freedom won at such a high price be lasting!

Father, hold all of the troopers in the palm of your almighty hand
and protect them in the shadow of your wings.

Amen.

[seruriermarshal]

Other news


SPC SABRINA HARMAN ARTICLE 32 HEARING

Statement by COL Jill Morgenthaler, MNF-I Public Affairs Officer

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Today, in the case of U.S. vs. Harmon, an Article 32 hearing was convened at the Camp Victory courthouse. An Article 32 hearing is similar to a grand jury hearing where it is determined if there is enough facts to warrant a court martial or if charges should be dismissed. Several witnesses were called to testify both in the courthouse and telephonically. Tomorrow, the hearing will reconvene and is expected to conclude.

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From (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/media-information/june2004/040624d.htm)

1st ID, Iraqi Security Forces secure Baqubah

TIKRIT, Iraq - The 1st Infantry Division along with the Iraqi Security Forces have secured four key infrastructures in Baqubah, June 24.

These infrastructures include: the Blue Dome, the government building, the Mufrek Traffic Circle and the Baqubah Police Station.

Coalition forces are currently accessing the security situation in Mudadiyah and Buhritz.


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From (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/media-information/june2004/040624e.htm)

1st ID brings medical aid to Al Rashid

By Spc. Andy Miller

122nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD, Iraq - 1st Infantry Division medics and physicians worked with Iraqi doctors to treat about 200 residents of the rural Al Hay Askari area of Al Rashid June 19 as part of a medical civil assistance program.

Officials said most of the patients seen during the one-day event were children. Currently, residents of the Al Hay Askari area do not have access to a dedicated clinic. To give their patients more health-care options, the Soldiers and Iraqi physicians developed a plan to refer patients for follow-up visits to the clinic in neighboring Al Saidiyah.

"We are trying to establish care," said Capt. Jose Lopez, a general practitioner. "We aren't just going to come out here and give out medications and leave. We want to make sure that through working with the Al Saidiyah clinic, that there is a place for these people to go."

Lopez estimated that 10-20 percent of the patients seen were referred to physicians in Al Saidiyah for further care.

Care is beginning to improve in Baghdad now that qualified physicians are beginning to return to work, according to Dr. Mohannad Al Sarif, an Iraqi internal medical practitioner with the Ministry of Health. While urban Baghdad doesn't lack qualified physicians, those physicians often need medicine and equipment.

The 1st Infantry has been working to improve Baghdad's medical infrastructure since the division arrived in February; building and refurbishing clinics, and restoring medical supply lines. In the meantime, events like the medical civil assistance program provide immediate relief to residents of an area where medical care is few and far between.

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From (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/media-information/june2004/040624f.htm)

Marines continue public works projects throughout Al Anbar

AR RAMADI, Iraq - Marines and soldiers across Al Anbar Province continued to initiate and sustain improvement projects to raise the quality of life for Iraqis.

Soldiers visited an Iraqi police station with the Ar Ramadi police chief. Work on the station was under way for five days, but showed marked improvement. Contractors had 150 men working the site, repairing walls and floors, installing windows and hauling away rubble.

A $21,000 payment to an Iraqi contractor was made for completion of renovations to the Hassan Bin Thabit school. Elsewhere in Iraq, Marines paid out contracts for several initiatives, including:

$73,355 for renovations to the Fallujah Iraqi National Guard's 505th facility
$36,925 for repairs to a reception center at Baharia
$15,000 for improvements to a medical clinic in Khandari
$10,000 to initiate work on a health clinic in Al Kharma
$7,000 in sustainment funds for work on the Khandari City Council building
$5,000 payment to a contractor for work on the Al Sarmad Primary School
$5,000 for continued renovations to Al Hamdania Primary School
$5,000 for repairs to the Women's Center in Khandari

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From (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/media-information/june2004/040625a.htm)

[seruriermarshal]

Iraqi Security Forces repel anti-Iraqi attacks

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Anti-Iraqi forces attacked three police stations and the government center in Ramadi the morning of June 24. The attacks appear to be a coordinated attempt to disrupt key municipal services within the city.

Specifically, at the Qatana Police Station, 14 anti-Iraqi fighters entered the station, forced the Iraqi police to leave, set explosives and vacated the scene. The ensuing blast destroyed the station.

Iraqi security forces responded and successfully repelled the various attacks. I Marine Expeditionary Force Marines deployed quick reaction forces to assist and supplement the Iraqi security force response in several positions within the city.

The actions of the Iraqi security forces have restored calm in Ramadi. Marines continue to maintain a presence at the government center.

All actions at this time are defensive in nature and in direct response to anti-Iraqi forces attacks on Iraqi security forces or their related infrastructure.

No Marine casualties have been reported at this time. Estimates of Iraqi security force casualties range from five to six killed and eight to 10 wounded at this time.

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From (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/media-information/june2004/040625b.htm)

Task Force Olympia Soldier and Private Security Guard killed in attacks in Mosul

MOSUL, Iraq - One Task Force Olympia Soldier was killed, three Soldiers were injured, and five Iraqi police officers were wounded when three car bombs exploded in western Mosul June 24.

The attacks hit the Iraqi Police Academy, at the Al Wakas Iraqi Police substation, and near the Al Jamhori Hospital.

At about 10 a.m., June 24, a private security company came under small arms fire in west Mosul. One security guard was killed and another was injured. The injured guard is at military medical facility in Mosul.

At about 10:15 a.m., an explosion of unknown type occurred in the vicinity of the Sheik Fatih Iraqi Police Station. There were no casualties noted at this time.

Anyone with information about criminal or terrorist activities should inform the Iraqi Police, Coalition forces, or call the Tips Hotline 813-343 or 780-013. To turn in weapons or munitions, contact any Coalition Soldier or call the Hotline (813-343) to arrange turn-in.

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From (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/media-information/june2004/040625c.htm)

Anti-Iraqi forces fire on Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Soldiers from Mohammed Al Nuri Mosque

MOSUL, Iraq - Iraqi Security Forces secured the Sheikh Fatih police station in southwestern Mosul after terrorists attempted to take it over at about 11:20 a.m., June 24.

Anti-Iraqi forces were shooting from the Mohammed Nuri Mosque across the street from the police station. Coalition forces moved to the site to support the Iraqi Security Forces and were fired upon from the mosque as well. Iraqi Security and Coalition forces returned fire on the terrorists in the mosque.

At about 1 p.m., Coalition forces reported that Iraqi Security Forces and Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment took back the Sheikh Fatih police station from the anti-Iraqi forces.

Iraqi National Guard soldiers secured the mosque as well. There was no word on casualties at the time.

Anyone with information about criminal or terrorist activities should inform the Iraqi Police, Coalition forces, or call the Tips Hotline 813-343 or 780-013. To turn in weapons or munitions, contact any Coalition soldier or call the Hotline (813-343) to arrange turn-in.

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From (http://www.mnf-iraq.com/media-information/june2004/040625d.htm)

[seruriermarshal]

Turkey seizes weapons cache on truck coming from Iraq

ANKARA (AFP) Jun 23, 2004
Turkish border guards have seized guns, hand grenades, mines and explosives in a tanker truck which entered the country from Iraq, a senior local official said Wednesday.
The Turkish driver of the vehicle was detained and police launched an investigation into the incident, the deputy governor of the southeastern border province of Sirnak, Resul Celik, told Anatolia news agency.

The cache, discovered in the truck after it entered Turkey from the Habur crossing point, included 28 firearms -- among them 20 Kalashnikov rifles and four Kanas-type rifles usually used in assassinations -- as well as "a great number" of hand grenades, mines, bullets and explosives, Celik said.

Last month, police in the region seized some 100 guns and thousands of bullets hidden in three trucks carrying wheat from Iraq, which were thought to have been destined for sale at the underground market.

Turkish security forces are on high alert ahead of a NATO summit in Istanbul next week, which US President George W. Bush will attend.

Southeastern Turkey has been the scene of a bloody Kurdish rebellion for self-rule. The rebels ended a five-year unilateral ceasefire with Ankara June

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From (http://www.spacewar.com/2004/040623163618.56va9k1f.html)

***Irate S. Koreans Attack Islam Interests Overnight in Inchon, Korea (Photos of Aftermath)***

Blood is boiling to the point of scorching explosion in some quarters of South Korea toward terrorist [and by extension], Islam, as news settles in that a South Korean man had been beheaded this week by Islamic fundamental terrorists in Iraq.

Police cordons are being thrown up around Islamic mosques in S. Korea. The main mosque in Seoul has been flooded with death threats and bomb threats.

Last night (US time), a building housing Islamic interests in Inchon, South Korea (about a hour from Seoul) was hit by vandalism. People are really pissed at these murders and decapitations. Koreans, (the "Irish of East Asia" when it comes to anger and tempers) seem to have energized. The sentiment is by no means unanimous, though.

FYI , there is no hate crime legislation in South Korea.


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OhMyNews (website in Korean) (http://www.ohmynews.com/dicagallery/report_view.asp?menu_code=4&dcb_code=3860)

http://file.ohmynews.com/dica_file/3000/3860_mansong2_1.jpg

http://file.ohmynews.com/dica_file/3000/3860_mansong2_2.jpg

http://file.ohmynews.com/dica_file/3000/3860_mansong2_3.jpg

[seruriermarshal]

U.S. Planes Bomb Suspected Militants in Zarqawi Hunt

By Alistair Lyon

BAGHDAD (*******) - U.S. warplanes bombed a suspected guerrilla safe house in Iraq (news - web sites) Friday, stepping up a hunt for Jordanian militant Abu Musab Zarqawi, blamed by Washington for a series of deadly attacks.


"Somewhere between 20 and 25 people were killed in today's strike," said a U.S.-led coalition official, who declined to be named. No details on who was killed were immediately available.


The U.S. military said the house in the restive town of Falluja, some 30 miles west of Baghdad, was a "known Zarqawi network safe house" and was destroyed in the daylight strike, the third on suspected Falluja safe houses this week.


"This operation employed precision weapons to target and destroy the safe house and underscores the coalition's continuing resolve...to completely destroy terrorist networks," Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt said in a statement.


Falluja residents said the house, in the southeast of the town, was reduced to rubble.


Washington, due to hand over to an interim Iraqi government on June 30, accuses Zarqawi of links to al Qaeda and says he has masterminded a number of major attacks, as well as being responsible for the beheading of an American and a South Korean.


Militants in Falluja issued a statement Friday denying Zarqawi was holed up in the town.

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From (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&ncid=578&e=1&u=/nm/20040625/ts_nm/iraq_dc)