Light shining after VBIED attack

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony White | Iraqis search through the rubble caused by a vehicle borne improvised explosive device Monday at the Makmur mayor's building.  

IRAQ

05.30.2007

Story by Staff Sgt. Anthony White 

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

By Staff Sgt. Tony White
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

MAKMUR, Iraq — A vehicle borne improvised explosive device recently destroyed a large portion of the mayor's building and several other surrounding buildings Sunday in Makmur, near Irbil.

As of the latest reports 29 people were killed, including four Iraqi police officers, and more than 100 others were injured. The wounded were evacuated by Makmur officials to the local clinics and the Irbil hospital.

Reports indicate an insurgent dressed as an Iraqi army officer was seen driving a dump truck during the attack. Officials estimate the dump truck was filled with 2,500 pounds of explosives.

"The insurgents are trying to create fear and turmoil," said Lt. Col. Robert McLaughlin, 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment battalion commander. "But we are all working for the common goal here. We want to maintain a sense of normalcy, progress and hope for these people and unity of effort — Coalition, Iraqi army, Iraqi police and Iraqi governance. So far it has been solid."

The Makmur mayor was among those wounded from the blast. Quickly released after treatment for minor injuries, the mayor conducted a television interview with the Irbil media.

"He is part of a system that is in place that has hope and wants good things for its people — that is how it should be," McLaughlin said.

The blast incapacitated several government buildings, including the mayor's office and the police station. The police also lost all of their vehicles in the explosion.

"One of the biggest concerns I had was all of the IP's vehicles being destroyed," McLaughlin said. "Within 24 hours we got them five capable trucks. They asked for three, but we came up with five. It is always important to me to show the Iraqis that we care and we want to help."

The response of the local population gave McLaughlin a brief moment of relief despite earlier events.

"The beautiful thing about that town is that their initial reaction to the people was incredible," he said. "They were taking the people to Irbil to get them treated quickly. They did a great job with that.

"Everybody has a choice to make," McLaughlin concluded. "The people can choose to be the victim or they can choose to make progress. It's their choice at every level."

• Date Taken: 05.30.2007
• Date Posted: 05.30.2007 09:00
• Story ID: 10562
• Location: IQ