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WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2004 – Two Marines assigned to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq were killed in separate incidents while conducting security and stability operations in Anbar province, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported today.
The first incident took place Sept. 14, and the second occurred today. No other details were provided. Anti-Iraqi forces failed to disrupt a city council meeting in Samarra today when they tried to attack Iraqi security forces and 1st Infantry Division soldiers providing security outside the city council building. Someone fired a rocket-propelled grenade at the soldiers, missed, and fled. Iraqi security forces and 1st Infantry Division soldiers have been patrolling in Samarra since the local city leadership was reseated on Sept. 9. On Sept. 13, they patrolled in the city and coordinated with the city council to begin repairs on Saeed Hameed Mosque, which was damaged in April. On Sept. 14, Iraqi security forces and 1st Infantry Division soldiers conducted patrols and met with officials at the Samarra public clinic, delivering medicine and medical supplies. The patrols have not met resistance in their entrances into the city, officials said, and will continue to establish a secure environment to set the conditions for reconstruction and quality-of-life projects. More than 3,000 people have returned safely to their homes in Tal Afar in the last 24 hours, and basic utilities have been restored to the city, officials said. On Sept. 14, Gov. Duraid Kashmoula of Ninevah province and Ninevah provincial council members determined the city was safe and allowed residents to begin returning to their homes. Iraqi security forces are maintaining security in the city. Multinational Forces and Iraqi security forces continue to work with Iraqi Red Crescent to provide medical assistance and humanitarian aid to the citizens of Tal Afar. (Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)
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