Apache Crews Destroy Rocket-Launching Rails

A US air strike killed five terrorists and wounded several other insurgents from among a group that was attempting to emplace a roadside bomb in the Basra, Iraq, area Monday, US military officials said.

Coalition forces killed the five suspected terrorists and wounded several others after a group of about 10 individuals were spotted conducting suspicious activity in Basra's Hyyaniyah district.

After verifying the individuals were burying what appeared to be a roadside bomb, coalition forces directed an air strike against the enemy force. There were no coalition-force casualties.

In another recent operation, US helicopter crews destroyed 10 rocket-launching rails March 23 northeast of Baghdad that enemy forces had been using to launch attacks. Apache helicopter crews from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment reported seeing rockets launched from the area earlier that evening. Upon arrival, the air crews discovered the launching rails, and requested clearance to destroy them.

Upon receiving clearance, the crews cleared the area, fired on the rails and destroyed all 10 targets. There was no other damage as a result of destroying the targets.

"While al Qaeda in Iraq is still capable of isolated spectacular attacks, they are definitely feeling the pressure here in Diyala, as evidenced by the 70 percent reduction in attacks in the province since June 2007," said Army spokesman Maj. Mike Katona.

FMI: www.defenselink.mil