Another well done encounter.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Credible reporting led Multi-National Forces to a suspected insurgent location in Al Qaim May 2, and consequently, Coalition forces witnessed suspicious activity in the vicinity. The forces then followed a truck, which departed from the possible terrorist site, to a remote and isolated camp site consisting of a tent and a shed east of Al Qaim.
Once at the camp site, the truck stopped and approximately 10-12 armed adult males began loading material from the shed and tent to the truck. Those loading the materials consisted of people already at the campsite and those who had arrived in the truck. Once they finished moving the materials, several men climbed into the vehicle and then backtracked on the same route from which they had traveled toward the original suspected terrorist site.
Before the occupants in the vehicle could reach their destination the commander of the operation decided to interdict the vehicle; upon stopping the truck, the suspected insurgents opened fire on the Coalition forces. A firefight ensued with nine enemy adult males killed in action and one enemy wounded.
Additionally, one female child, approximately six-years-old, sustained a minor injury to her right calf and to her head. The injuries were not life threatening. The child and the wounded terrorist were immediately evacuated to Coalition medical facilities. All nine terrorists killed were each heavily armed with assault rifles and hand grenades.
Three other terrorists were killed in an ensuing air strike that targeted and destroyed the tent and the shed associated with the terrorist activity. Coalition forces found fake identification cards, foreign currency, and other evidence that provided proof of direct ties with the Zarqawi terrorist network as well as with networks outside of Iraq.
Six Coalition forces were injured in the firefight. They are all in stable condition.
You gotta love it when an operation works out this well.