May 2005 - Iraq Special Weapons News

25 May 2005 - Iraq Special Weapons News

OIF/OEF Casualty Update 25 May 2005 [PDF]
4 Task Force Baghdad Soldiers Killed
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
TASK FORCE LIBERTY SOLDIER KILLED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT
Iraqi Forces Arrest Key Zarqawi Aid VOA 25 May 2005 -- The U.S. military has confirmed the arrest of an aid to the al-Qaida chief in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, by Iraqi forces near the city of Baquba.
Iraq: Website Suggests Leader Of Al-Qaeda In Iraq Wounded RFE/RL 25 May 2005 -- A website controlled by the Al-Qaeda Organization for Holy Struggle in Iraq has claimed that the most wanted opponent of the United States in Iraq, Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, has been wounded. The message did not include details but called on Muslims to pray for his recovery.
Purple Foxes speed to casualties throughout Al Anbar Province USMC News 25 May 2005 -- The Purple Foxes of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 spend their days here working to increase the chances of survival from injuries sustained on the battlefield.
MSSG Marines maintain 26th MEU capabilities USMC News 25 May 2005 -- Intense heat, blowing sand, miles of unimproved roads... these conditions would spell disaster for the hardiest equipment if not for the efforts of the Maintenance Platoon, MEU Service Support Group 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

Reserve helo squadron serves second OIF tour USMC News 25 May 2005 -- Remaining true to their motto, "Putting grunts in their place since 1958," Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 is back in Iraq for a second time in two years supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lawmakers Reject Democratic Effort to Require Plan for Iraq Withdrawal VOA 25 May 2005 -- The House of Representatives has soundly rejected an attempt by opposition Democrats to require President Bush to send Congress a plan for a U.S. military withdrawal from Iraq. Debate over the issue came during House consideration of legislation overwhelmingly approved (by a vote 390 to 39), authorizing just over 490-billion dollars in spending on defense and other needs for the 2006 fiscal year.

UN Iraq envoy holds talks with French Foreign Minister UN News Centre 25 May 2005 -- Secretary-General Kofi Annan's representative for Iraq has met with France's Foreign Minister and other senior French officials for talks that focused on preparations for the ministerial meeting on Iraq to be held on 22 June in Brussels.
Iraq Asks United Nations To Keep Multinational Force in Country Washington File 25 May 2005 -- Citing continued armed insurgency, Iraq has asked the U.N. Security Council to allow the 160,000-strong, U.S.-led multinational force (MNF) to remain in the country until after elections for a permanent government.

Head of Iraqi Navy Speaks on Future of His Growing Fleet Navy NewsStand 25 May 2005 -- Head of the Iraqi Navy, Commodore Muhammad Jawad, visited the U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters (HQ) in Manama, Bahrain, May 21-24, barely one year after the creation of the new Iraqi Navy.

UK sending more troops to train Iraqi forces IRNA 25 May 2005 -- Britain's military presence in Iraq is to be strengthened to step up the training of the country's local security forces, Defense Secretary John Reid announced Wednesday.

Iraqi Media Monitoring UNAMI 25 May 2005
Al-Zarqawi: What Impact On Insurgency? RFE/RL 25 May 2005 -- A statement posted on 24 May on an Internet website linked in the past to Al-Qaeda, claimed that Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi, the leader of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Tanzim Qa'idat Al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, was wounded in Iraq. While not yet confirmed, this news is certain to lead to speculation on the future fighting capability of the group.