Release # 03-05-111

STATEMENT

"The Coalition is conducting an investigation to determine if civilian property damage may have inadvertently occurred during Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations on Friday in Western Baghdad. No known injuries are believed to have occurred caused by the operation, but the Coalition is investigating claims from Iraqi civilians that minor property damage, such as broken windows, may have occurred during demolition operations. Coalition forces are systematically removing and destroying thousands of pieces of ordnance and ammunition that were stored by the former regime in residential areas, schools, hospitals and mosques throughout Iraq. The Coalition is committed to completing this task in a safe and appropriate manner."

Q1: Was the explosion intentional or unexpected?

A1: The explosions were intentional, and strictly controlled by Explosive Ordnance Disposal and security personnel.

Q2: Why was the area located so close to a populated area?

Q3: The large area was contaminated with unexploded ordnance, and had previously had been either a defensive position or an Iraqi ammunition cache. It was deemed safe for demolition operations.

Q3: How large was the explosion, and what precautions were taken?

A3: Precautions at the site included a cantonment area with protective earthworks to contain shrapnel from detonations, holes dug to contain the ordnance, and extensive deliberate safety and security measures. Presently, it is unknown how many individual pieces/types of ammunition were being destroyed in each of the five holes prepared.

Q4: How were Coalition forces notified that there might have been civilian damage?

A4:At the completion of detonation operation, local residents complained, stating their windows had been broken.

Q5: What will be done if restitution is warranted?

Q6: Civil Affairs teams will assess claims and provide restitution, where necessary.

Q6: How much of this activity is there?

A6: U.S. military EOD teams have removed or destroyed more than 5,373 tons of ammunition and unexploded Iraqi ordnance in the Baghdad area, and operations will continue as long as it takes to remove the threat to the Iraqi people.

may have damaged homes in Baghdad today while removing Iraqi unexploded ordnance (UXO). The operation in Western Baghdad is part of a comprehensive program to eliminate this threat throughout the city and ensure the safety of Iraqis.

The incident is currently under investigation

Q1. What happened?

A1. At approximately 301400CMAY03, SSG Butler of the 759th OD Co (EOD) was working IVO MB308903, an area that contained many UXO.

2. Approximately 370 ordnance items were to be destroyed today at that location. 70th EN Bn personnel were on-scene providing protective works assistance. The Bn Cdr, LTC Iverson was on-scene. Four large holes were dug to contain the fragmentation from the shots. SSG Butler divided the ordnance into five shots (re-using one hole). After the final shot local residents came out complaining about the demo operations, stating their windows had been broken. SSG Butler stated that he didn't recall seeing glass in the windows during his previous visits to the area.

3. The locals complained to the police station, and SSG Butler went to the station to make a statement for them. He has returned to his unit and is writing his formal statement at this time.

4. The area previously had been either a defensive position or a cache that had been hit by Coalition forces, creating a large area contaminated with UXOs. Additional problems were created when the 317th EN BN utilized local laborers to clean up the site and one ignited propellant with a cigarette, causing a fire which resulted in explosions, adding to an already bad situation. SSG Butler has worked in the area many times. The specifics from those incidents and ordnance destroyed is being researched at this time.

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -.

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