NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
December 16, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-38
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TASK FORCE "ALL AMERICAN" AIDS POLICE IN FALLUJAH
AR RAMADI, Iraq -This afternoon, there was a demonstration in the town of Fallujah. Some demonstrators carried AK-47s and other small arms and fired into the air. Local authorities were notified and dispersed the crowd.
Also in Fallujah, rioters approached the mayor's building and forced local police to pull back to the police station. The Iraqi police called nearby coalition forces for assistance in controlling the crowd.
Elements of the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team responded to the call and dispatched one infantry company augmented with Bradley Fighting Vehicles and M1 Abrams tanks to secure the area and disperse the crowd.
Once the crowd dispersed, the Coalition Force formed a security perimeter three blocks away from the mayor's building. During this activity, forces were attacked with six rocket-propelled grenades (RPG). As a search for the attackers ended, an approaching white pick-up truck launched an RPG at a tank. The RPG bounced off the tank resulting in no damage to equipment or personnel. Forces immediately returned fire and killed one enemy.
Following the attack, the police notified Coalition Forces that they were ready to resume control and that their assistance was no longer necessary. Coalition forces withdrew from the city and remained on call in case further support was needed.
This situation highlights the continuing cooperation between local law enforcement and Coalition Forces to provide security to the Iraqi people.
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