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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

November 10, 2004
Release Number: 04-11-33


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TERRORISTS USE MOSQUE TO FIRE UPON FORCES

BAGHDAD, Iraq - In Fallujah today, Multi-National Force-Iraq struck terrorists illegally using a mosque to fire upon Iraqi and coalition troops.

Anti-Iraqi forces in Fallujah have made extensive use of mosques as bases of operations, storage sites for weapons and explosives, and as safe havens. Throughout Iraq, insurgents and terrorists continue to operate from mosques and other protected sites in clear violation of international law as well as religious and moral standards.

On two separate occasions, Iraqi and coalition forces came under fire from insurgents in the Khulafah Al Rashid mosque. Using small arms fire, the combined forces could not remove the threat. Insurgents had effective control of the area and a tactical advantage, leaving no alternative other than to engage them while they remained inside the mosque. The mosque was struck by coalition aerial assets at approximately 9:25 a.m. with three precision-guided munitions and then again at 1:38 p.m. with another precision-guided munition, which destroyed the minaret. The combined forces used only enough force to remove the threat.

During periods of armed conflict, religious sites are protected under international law. However, they lose their protected status when used as fighting positions or for other military operations.

Foreign fighters continue to use mosques, hospitals, schools and other protected sites to stage and plan their attacks on innocent civilians and security forces. These actions by the terrorists and foreign fighters display once again their complete disregard and disrespect for Islam as well as international law.

Anti-Iraqi forces continue to use protected sites as part of a deliberate propaganda campaign designed to discredit the sovereign government of Iraq and Multi-National Force.

As Prime Minister Ayad Allawi has stated many times, the sovereign government of Iraq will not allow foreign fighters and terrorists to continue the tactic of using mosques, hospitals, schools or other protected sites to stage or plan attacks against Iraqi forces.

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