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
September 21, 2004
Release Number: 04-09-69
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CAR BOMB ATTACK THWARTED NEAR BAGHDAD MOSQUE
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi Police and National Guard troops prevented a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device from inflicting civilian casualties Sept. 21 in western Baghdad.
At about 11:30 a.m. a suspicious vehicle approached a checkpoint manned by Iraqi National Guard troops near the Mula Hawaysh Mosque. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene when approached by security forces. Iraqi police called in Iraqi and U.S. explosive ordnance teams to investigate.
The area was quickly cordoned off and secured by EOD and the troops. The vehicle exploded at about 12:50 p.m. There were no injuries to military members or civilians near the blast. EOD experts on-site estimated the blast to be the work of more than 500 pounds of explosives. Windows were blown out of the mosque, and the northeastern wall of the structure was damaged by the car bomb.
"This incident could have been deadly, if it wasn't for the watchful eyes of Iraqi Security Forces," said Maj. Phil Smith, the deputy public affairs officer for the 1st Ca2valry Division. "It is just another example of the utter disregard of terrorists for the lives and well-being of the Iraqi people."
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