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Release A050921b

Terrorists use children as shields

Multi-National Force-Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq – One child was killed and another injured when terrorists used them as human shields during Coalition forces raids of three terrorist safe houses Sept. 20.

Based on tips from concerned citizens and multiple intelligence sources, Coalition forces raided two suspected safe houses to capture known terrorists operating in the city of Mosul. The terrorists were believed to have senior al-Qaida in Iraq connections in Mosul and northern Iraq.

Upon entry into the first terrorist safe house, Coalition forces were engaged with small-arms fire by three terrorists in the house. The forces immediately returned fire, resulting in the death of two terrorists and the wounding of another.

During the firefight, one of the terrorists used a small child to shield himself as he fired on Coalition forces. Coalition forces returned fire, slightly wounding the child in the exchange of gunfire. The child and wounded terrorist were evacuated and are currently being treated at a local field hospital. Both are expected to recover from their wounds.

Coalition forces then moved to a second suspected terrorist safe house where they were again engaged with small-arms fire. Coalition forces returned fire and killed one terrorist. Several terrorists fled the safe house into a third house nearby. Coalition forces pursued the men and in the ensuing firefight killed four more terrorists.

Unbeknownst to Coalition forces, one of the terrorists picked up a small child as he was fleeing the second safe house. During the firefight, the hostage-holding terrorist was shot. The same bullet that killed him also killed the child as it exited the terrorist’s body.

Coalition forces found weapons, ammunition, grenades, and rocket-propelled grenades rounds in the second terrorist safe house as well as in a vehicle that was parked outside. Coalition forces consolidated everything in the vehicle and destroyed it and its contents prior to departing the site.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT MNCI-PAO-VICTORYMAINJOC@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL