Nine Insurgents Killed During Weapons Distribution

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20070126-13

Multi-National Force – West PAO
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq –American Soldiers observed six insurgents unloading AK-47 rifles into a building near the gas station in Central Ramadi Jan. 23. The soldiers attacked the insurgents with grenades and gunfire killing three and wounding the other three. Another adjacent Coalition post was subsequently attacked by six insurgents later the same morning. The Soldiers defended themselves and killed three of the attackers and wounded another three.
There have been false reports of Coalition Force members killing six Iraqi civilians waiting in line at the gas station. One report suggested Coalition forces killed 10 Iraqis. “While we do everything we can not to harm civilians, we will do all we can to both eliminate insurgents distributing weapons and defend ourselves against attack,” said Coalition spokesman Maj. Alan F. Crouch.

Two hours later in the same area, the same Coalition Force members observed additional insurgents distributing hand grenades to approximately seven others near the same building as before. The insurgents then attacked the Coalition outpost. Coalition force members defended themselves killing three of the assailants and injuring three more. A total of nine insurgents were killed and nine were injured the morning of the 23rd in Ramadi. There were no Coalition or civilian casualties.