Military

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

April 26, 2004
Release Number: 04-04-40C


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


TWO CREWMEMBERS KILLED, FOUR WOUNDED IN ARABIAN GULF OIL TERMINAL ATTACKS

MANAMA, Bahrain (April 24, 2004) - Two crewmembers of a coalition boarding team were killed and four other crewmembers wounded today as a result of three concurrent waterborne attacks on oil terminals located in the northern Arabian Gulf.

At approximately 5 p.m. (local) coalition naval personnel observed an unidentified dhow approaching the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) in the northern Arabian Gulf. Standard Maritime Interception Operations (MIO) procedures required the crew to board the dhow for inspection.

As the eight-member boarding team approached the dhow in a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), the dhow exploded, flipping the RHIB and throwing the crew into the water, killing two and wounding four.

All crewmembers were recovered by other coalition naval forces in the area, and evacuated to a military hospital in Kuwait.

All names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Approximately 20 minutes after the first dhow explosion, two unidentified small boats were observed approaching the Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT). ABOT security forces immediately took action to intercept. Prior to reaching the terminal, the boats exploded.

Initial reports indicate no damage to either terminal.

Coalition forces captured both oil terminals during the first phase of OIF last year in the effort to prevent environmental sabotage of the terminals by Iraqi forces.

Coalition maritime forces are operating under the command of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (COMUSNAVCENT). For more information, please contact COMUSNAVCENT Public Affairs at 011-973-17-85-4027 or via e-mail to pao@cusnc.navy.mil.

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