MOSUL, IRAQ - Task Force Olympia military police killed four anti-coalition personnel early Sunday evening after stopping a car matching the description of a vehicle wanted in connection with a drive-by shooting in Mosul earlier in the day. Early Sunday morning, anti-coalition forces engaged a Task Force Olympia military police patrol in Mosul with small arms fire. The military police pursued, but were not able to apprehend the suspects.
Late Sunday afternoon, a second patrol noticed a similar vehicle to the one that engaged the Soldiers earlier in the morning. While approaching the vehicle, four suspects opened fire. The MPs returned fire, killing all four suspects. Two coalition soldiers received non life-threatening wounds and were transported to the 67th Combat Support Hospital in Mosul for treatment. Inside the vehicle, coalition soldiers found three AK-47s, one rocket propelled grenade launcher, four RPG rounds, four RPG boosters, four grenades, a 60mm mortar round, and other assorted ordnance.
Iraqi security forces and coalition soldiers are investigating whether this vehicle and its occupants were involved in any of the recent attacks against Iraqi government officials, Iraqi security forces or coalition soldiers. "The series of attacks in Mosul today against Iraqi government offices and personnel, Iraqi Security Forces, and against coalition soldiers only strengthens our resolve to stand together against these enemy forces who continue to try to hinder Iraqi progress," said Lt. Col. Joseph Piek, Task Force Olympia spokesperson. Task Force Olympia continues to work with the citizens and leaders of the Mosul region to make northern Iraq more safe and secure. |