Petrelis Files

US Says Iraqi Police "Spoil Attack" that Killed 10 Civilians

Here's a classic example of a headline for a US military news release not meeting the reality of the body of the release. The headline boldly claims the Iraqi police spoiled an assault by terrorists, but the release is actually about two truck bombs exploding near a police station. (Maybe the military defines spoil as the trucks not blowing up at the police station's front door step?)

Eleven Iraqis were killed, as were two insurgents and fifteen civilians suffered wounds. As if that weren't enough, the release also states the local police had to contend with small arms fire during the course of the morning.

If this is how Iraqi police spoil a terrorist attack, meriting a news release, what the hell sort of release does the military put out when the insurgent attacks are not spoiled by the local police?

The services and insight of Mr. Orwell are very much needed these days.

From the US military:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20061020-07
Oct. 20, 2006

Iraqi Police spoil terrorist attack

MULTINATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH PAO

MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi police remained vigilant in the face of a complex attack in Mosul Thursday.

Al Qaeda in Iraq forces attacked the Abi Tamaam Police Station in east Mosul Thursday at approximately 7:00 a.m. with two suicide truck bombs. The first truck bomb exploded near the station’s entry control point, blowing down protective walls and creating a sizeable crater in the road. The second truck, unable to penetrate the police station’s perimeter due to the crater and debris left over from the first truck bomb detonated in the street.

As a result of the attack, 10 Iraqi civilians and one Iraqi Policeman were killed while nine IPs and 15 Iraqi civilians were wounded. Two AIF were killed in the attack.

“The Iraqi police took the brunt and stood their ground,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Task Force Lightning. “We’re immensely proud of their resilience.”

Later in the morning two other SVBIEDs targeting Coalition Forces exploded, wounding two Soldiers and causing minor damage to two Stryker vehicles. The wounded were treated and returned to duty. Two additional AIF were killed in the second attack.

Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces supported the IPs who were targeted with indirect and small arms fire throughout the morning.

Coalition Forces launched an engineer team to the police station to clear the destroyed vehicles, repair the road crater and rebuild the wall.

“We wanted to show our solidarity after their heroic stand,” Townsend said.

Thursday’s series of attacks on the IPs in Mosul came a week after ISF responded in support of CF who had been targeted by a series of complex attacks by AIF.

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