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BAGHDAD, Iraq, Sept. 12, 2004 – A coordinated attack early today on the Abu Ghraib prison complex included an early-morning mortar attack, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and small-arms fire and resulted in the death of one insurgent and the capture of seven others believed to be involved in the attack.
There were no injuries among Multinational Force Iraq personnel or detainees at the complex as a result of the failed attack. The attack began when several mortars exploded just outside the complex at about 6 a.m., resulting in no injuries. About 20 minutes later, MNF troops spotted three civilian pick-up trucks with machineguns on a road near the complex. When one of the vehicles was fired upon, another pick-up truck approached at high speed, drove through a chain-link gate marking the outer perimeter, and immediately came under fire from the Marines securing the compound. While under direct fire, the vehicle exploded before reaching the main security wall of the complex, killing one insurgent who appears to have been the lone occupant driving the pick-up truck. A number of 155 mm artillery rounds were found strewn among the debris of the vehicle, indicating it was intended to be used as an improvised explosive device to kill MNF troops or destroy a section of the main security wall, officials said. The other pick-up trucks used in the attack were later found by MNF troops, resulting in the capture of seven individuals. Abu Ghraib has been targeted on many occasions by anti-Iraqi forces. The most serious attack occurred April 20 when mortars fired at the detention camp killed 22 Iraqi detainees and left more than 100 others injured. (Courtesy of Multinational Force Iraq.)
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