Militia Attacks
KARBALA, Iraq – The Provincial Joint Coordination Center (PJCC) in Karbala was attacked with grenades, small arms and indirect fires by an illegally armed militia group Jan 20. Five U.S. Soldiers were killed and three wounded while repelling the attack. Initial reporting by some media outlets indicated falsely that the attack was conducted by Coalition forces.
“The PJCC is a coordination center where local Iraqi officials, Iraqi security forces and Coalition forces stationed within the center meet to address the security needs of the population,” said Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, Deputy Commander for Multi-National Division-Baghdad. “A meeting was taking place at the time of the attack to ensure the security of Shiite pilgrims participating in the Ashura commemorations.”
“The attack on the Karbala Provincial Joint Coordination Center was aimed at Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces working together toward a better future for the citizens of Karbala,” said Lt. Col. Scott R. Bleichwehl, Spokesperson for Multi-National Division-Baghdad.
The location has been secured by Coalition and Iraqi security forces.
The deceased Soldiers’ names are being withheld pending notification of their next of kin.
AP is reporting at Forbes that this was preceded by action in the city.
In the Shiite holy city of Karbala, U.S. troops raided the headquarters of the provincial government looking for wanted gunmen but left with no prisoners, Gov. Akeel al-Khazaali said. The Americans used stun grenades, which led neighbors to report the building was under mortar attack, he said.
U.S. forces launched the raid as thousands prepared to flood Karbala on Sunday for the beginning of a 10-day mourning period known as Ashoura. The festival marks the death of one of Shiite Islam’s most sacred saints, Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Residents reached by telephone speculated the raid was aimed at followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, saying helicopters flew over his main headquarters in Karbala well past nightfall.
Al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army militia, which has been accused of playing a big role in sectarian killings, has been hit repeatedly in recent weeks by operations in which key commanders have been captured or killed by U.S. and Iraqi troops.
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