Reply #8: New CNN report: escaping van hit by Apaches, 2 killed , 5 detained

[Barrett808]

U.S. attacks insurgents in Iraq
At least 25 killed in blast at Italian base
Wednesday, November 12, 2003 Posted: 3:29 PM EST (2029 GMT)

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. forces launched two attacks on Iraqi insurgents late Wednesday, military officials said, hours after a bombing that killed at least 25 people at the Italian military police headquarters in Nasiriya.

One attack occurred in western Baghdad and another in the southern part of the city, said Capt. David Gercken, a spokesman for the U.S. Army's 1st Armored Division.

The attack in the western part of the Iraqi capital targeted guerrillas who had launched mortar shells at U.S. troops, Gercken said.

Those insurgents were trying to escape in a van when Apache attack helicopters struck, killing two people inside, the spokesman said. Three others were wounded and five detained, he said.

In the attack in southern Baghdad, an AC-130 Spectre gunship was called in to destroy a warehouse used by Iraqi insurgents to meet and plan attacks against U.S. forces around the capital, Gercken said. He said the number of casualties was unclear.

(more)

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/11/12/sprj.irq.main/index.html