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Iranian-Made Mortar Likely Used in Recent Attack, General Says
American Forces Press Service ^
| John J. Kruzel
Posted on 09/13/2007 9:30:32 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2007 A mortar that killed a coalition servicemember and injured 12 when it detonated earlier this week at a coalition operating base likely was manufactured in Iran, a spokesman for Multinational Force Iraq said yesterday. (Video)
Our explosive ordnance experts assessed (that) it is consistent with the rockets of Iranian origin we have seen used in other attacks, Army Maj. Gen. Kevin Bergner told reporters during a briefing in Baghdad.
The general said experts matched distinctive markings on mortar fragments collected Sept. 11 from the impact site to unfired Iranian-made 240 mm rockets recovered in August. Such munitions are unique to Iranian manufacturing facilities, he added.
Bergner alleged that operatives of Jaysh al-Mahdi, the militant arm of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, launched the 240 mm mortar from western part of Baghdads Rashid district. (This) is a weapon these groups have received from Iranian groups in the past and recently used in other attacks against coalition forces, he said.
We know that some of the elements of Jaysh al-Mahdi rely on Iranian sources of funding, training and weapons like this, he continued. Unfortunately, (Irans) support is continuing to undermine the security and stability of Iraq at an important moment when some here are trying to reduce the violence and improve security.
The mortar attack occurred in defiance of Sadrs pledge on Aug. 24 to suspend offensive operations against coalition forces and citizens. Though coalition forces have seen a reduction in attacks previously associated with Sadrs followers, some members, like the perpetrators of the mortar attack, are disrespecting Sadrs commitment by continuing attacks, Bergner said.
The general added that U.S. forces embrace Sadrs dedication to isolating dissident Jaysh al-Mahdi members who discredit his pledge of honor.
The multinational force will continue to support the government of Iraq in welcoming the pledge by Moqtada al-Sadr to stop attacks, Bergner said. And we will show restraint in dealing with his followers who uphold this commitment.
However, Iraqi and coalition forces will not show the same restraint against criminals who continue to target civilians and security forces, he said.
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TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: attack; frwn; iranian; iraq; jayshalmahdi; mortar; sadar
1
posted on
09/13/2007 9:30:33 PM PDT
by
SandRat
To: 91B; HiJinx; Spiff; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; clintonh8r; TEXOKIE; windchime; Grampa Dave; ...
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WAR News at Home and Abroad You'll Hear Nowhere Else!
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Or if they do report it, without the anti-War Agenda Spin!
Not for commercial use. For educational and discussion purposes only.
2
posted on
09/13/2007 9:31:30 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
To: SandRat
We must start making Iran pay a price for their support of terrorists!
3
posted on
09/13/2007 9:34:38 PM PDT
by
jazusamo
(DefendOurMarines.com)
To: SandRat
The president ought to have to explain why we aren’t going to war, instead the left has us so cowed there is not a peep about attacking a country that is killing our soldiers. Sad.
4
posted on
09/13/2007 9:34:44 PM PDT
by
Williams
To: SandRat
Iran is asking for a real good ass kicking.
5
posted on
09/13/2007 9:35:11 PM PDT
by
DogandPonyShow
(America, the Light of the World.)
To: SandRat
So when are we going to do something about it...Iran continues to push...it’s time to push back HARD...
6
posted on
09/13/2007 9:38:57 PM PDT
by
shield
(A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand;but a fool's heart at his LEFT. Ecc 10:2)
To: jazusamo
We need to establish a serious quid pro quo with the Iranians. For every bullet, IED, rocket, or mortar round shot at the coalition forces there will be an overwhelming response. The might be evil, but the aren’t stupid. That crap will stop in a few days.
To: SandRat
Them’s a pretty fat mortar round, no? ~~9.5 inches?
To: Attention Surplus Disorder
9
posted on
09/13/2007 9:47:28 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty, Honor, Country. What else needs to be said?)
To: Natural Law
I agree, they understand that and it would stop it in a hurry.
10
posted on
09/13/2007 9:49:49 PM PDT
by
jazusamo
(DefendOurMarines.com)
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