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 7, 2004
Release Number: 04-04-07
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ATTACK ON MARINES NEAR MOSQUE
FALLUJAH, Iraq - U.S. Marines observed anti-Coalition Forces today firing from the Haj Musheen Abdul Aziz Az-Kubaysi mosque complex in Fallujah. In order to gain access to the compound housing the mosque, Marines used air support to breach a wall located several hundred yards away from the actual mosque structure. One anti-Coalition force member was killed in the attack. There is no report of civilian casualties.
Marines on the ground observed no damage to the mosque. The anti-coalition forces firing from the mosque wrongfully violated the law of war by conducting offensive military operations from a protected structure. As a result, the mosque lost its protected status and therefore became a lawful military target. Nevertheless, the Marines only targeted the wall surrounding the compound in order to prevent damage to the mosque.
Initial reports indicate a platoon-size force was firing RPGs and small arms from fortified battle positions inside of and on top of the mosque. Following the strike, Marines also recovered a fully functional mortar from inside the compound.
This mosque was repeatedly used as a base to target Iraqi and Coalition forces throughout the day. The breach of the wall was a graduated response to the threat.
I Marine Expeditionary Force will continue to employ precision weaponry in order to protect lives of non-combatants, private property, medical facilities, and religious structures in accordance with the law of war.
For more information please contact MAJ JOHNSON at johnsontv@imefdm.usmc.mil or neil.harper.82@d82.army.mil
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