Marines Return Fire in Hit
Camp Blue Diamond, Iraq - At approximately 4:00 p.m. Oct. 11, Marines and Iraqi National Guard members began receiving small arms fire from the Sharqi Mosque in Hit.
Insurgents fired accurate and sustained small arms fire that escalated to heavy machine gun and indirect fire during the three-hour firefight at the mosque.
Marines exchanged proportionate and accurate small arms and machine gun fire until insurgents began firing mortars. At that point, Marine aviation was used to deliver precision-guided munitions to target the threat.
Mosques are granted protective status due to their religious and cultural significance. However, when insurgents violate the sanctity of the mosque by using the structure for military purposes, the site loses its protective status.
Marines are obligated and authorized to return fire with accurate and proportionate fire in order to protect themselves. All caution was exercised to limit collateral damage and prevent non-combatant casualties. The 1st Marine Division stands committed to assisting the Iraqi Security Forces in stabilizing the country.
Release #041012a
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