Hellfire Missile Hits US Soldiers/ Civilians: US Military
The US Military has confirmed that a Hellfire missile launched on Saturday April 12th missed its intended target and instead hit an armoured vehicle, causing injuries to two US military personnel, as well as two Iraqi civilians.
The incident occurred in the east of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and took place as US soldiers and Iraqi troops were engaged in fighting Shiite insurgents in clashes that carried on into the next day.
Hellfire Launched at Insurgents
The US military said that an “air weapons team” caught sight of insurgents laying down roadside bombs, and responded by launching a Hellfire missile. This missile, said the US, "overshot its intended target and struck a coalition forces vehicle, starting it and nearby houses on fire", while the insurgents targeted fled the area.
Injured Soldiers
Describing the extent of the injuries suffered among its troops, the military added that one US soldier experienced loss of hearing, while the second received a broken leg.
"This afternoon's events are unfortunate and our apologies go out to those innocent civilians who were affected", Colonel Bill Buckner, spokesman for the US military, commented.
"We take every precaution possible when going after the enemy, an enemy who has no concern for the safety or security of the Iraqi people."
Two Insurgents Killed
Immediately before the event, another Hellfire had been launched, which did strike insurgents involved in setting up roadside bombs, and killed two.
1,300 Iraqi Troops, Police Dismissed
Separately, it was confirmed over the weekend that around 1,300 Iraqi soldiers and police had been dismissed from service after refusing to take part in March’s offensive against Shiite militants.
According to Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf, over 900 of these were based in Basra, while the balance were stationed in Kut.
They were dismissed, Khalaf added, for refusing to fight, neglecting their duty and desertion.
Source – Armed Forces International’s Middle East Correspondent
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Further Resources:
Find out more about the Hellfire II Anti-Armour Missile
