KHALIS, Iraq - Three suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, one identified as an ambulance, detonated in Khalis, Iraq on March 29, killing more than 25 local citizens and wounding 37 citizens, five Iraqi policemen and three Iraqi army soldiers.
"Al Qaeda is continuing to attack the population and increase hostilities by destabilizing an area, that for the past month, has been making great strides in security, services and government," said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala. "The attack was on civilians and is intended to increase sectarian tension in the town while creating fear amongst the population."
The third vehicle that detonated was an ambulance believed to target the first responders.
IA and IP units, along with local hospitals, immediately responded to the attack. The casualties were transported to the Khalis and Baqubah hospitals.
"The local leadership and Iraqi security forces arrived on the scene and quickly established control of the situation while preventing lapses in security. This displays the will of the government, ISF and the people to move on with their lives in a free and democratic society while not being intimidated by the horrific actions of the terrorists," said Sutherland.
Subscribe
