Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

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

June 16, 2003
Release Number: 03-06-58


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CIVILIAN BUS HIT DURING AMBUSH

TIKRIT, Iraq - An enemy individual fired a rocket-propelled grenade at 4th Infantry Division soldiers during an attempted ambush June 15, hitting a civilian bus that was passing a military convoy near the town of AL Mushahidah.

Units from Task Force Ironhorse returned fire to protect the convoy and the civilian bus.

Supporting units from Task Force Ironhorse responded to assist the people on the bus; however, the bus was moved while the soldiers were traveling to its location. The soldiers searched the ambush location but did not find the bus. The numbers of casualties on the civilian bus are unknown at this time.

In a separate incident, enemy forces staged another ambush with RPGs against a military convoy near AD Dujayl.

The convoy returned fire, and the attackers fled the area. A quick reactionary force was dispatched to provide security for the convoy and pursue the attackers.

Supporters of the former regime continue to put innocent civilians at risk. Coalition forces will continue to isolate and defeat remaining pockets of resistance that are delaying the transition to a peaceful and stable Iraq.

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