16 Soldiers Wounded in Four Attacks
Baghdad - Sixteen Task Force Baghdad Soldiers were wounded here in four separate attacks by anti-Iraqi forces that occurred over a six-hour period Aug. 5.
Wounded Soldiers were evacuated to military medical facilities for treatment.
Five Soldiers were wounded when a rocket-propelled grenade round detonated on their position in eastern Baghdad. The attack occurred when a gunman engaged Soldiers while they were inspecting a civil military project aimed at improving the living conditions in Sadr City.
"We are deeply disappointed that the Mahdi Militia has brought fighting back to the good people of Sadr City," said Col. Robert "Abe" Abrams, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in eastern Baghdad. "We have worked tirelessly to restore essential services to the city, and these attacks hamper our efforts.
"It shows the wanton disregard by anti-Iraqi forces for the people of Sadr City," he said.
Seven Soldiers were wounded approximately 30 minutes later, in central Baghdad, when anti-Iraqi forces launched a coordinated attack using hand grenades and small arms fire.
Two other Soldiers were wounded at approximately 5 p.m. in northeastern Baghdad when their patrol came under attack by RPGs and small arms fire by insurgents.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., another Soldier was wounded by small arms fire in eastern Baghdad.
Abrams praised the professionalism of his troops as they dealt with difficult situations.
"Our Soldiers showed amazing restraint," Abrams said. He said children as young as 6 were throwing Molotov cocktails at the vehicles. "Our Soldiers did not return fire because they were only children."
Release #040806a
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