Release # 03-05-92

AL FALLUJAH, Iraq - A hostile force of unknown size attacked a U.S. Army unit here early this morning with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. One soldier was killed and seven others were injured.

U.S. Army soldiers responded decisively with concentrated fire from Bradley Fighting Vehicles, crew-served weapons and small arms. They killed two of the attackers and captured six others.

Initial reports are that the attackers fired from a mosque in the city.

The wounded soldiers were evacuated by both ground and air to military aid stations in the area.

A U.S. Army Medevac helicopter was damaged during the fight when a Bradley Fighting Vehicle inadvertently struck it while maneuvering into a firing position.

The units and identities of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin.

The use of a religious site, such as a mosque or church, as cover for military purposes is a violation of the Law of War. Coalition forces strive to honor and respect the sanctity of religious places and locations such as Islamic Mosques. However, Coalition forces have an inherent right to defend themselves from attack, and will always seek to do so in such a way that causes the minimum amount of harm to innocent life, protected sites and civilian property

-30-