- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 110
BAGHDAD (AP) - Dozens of insurgents fired rocket-propelled grenades and detonated two car bombs Saturday while attacking the Abu Ghraib prison in western Baghdad, wounding 20 American service members and 12 prisoners, the U.S. military said.
The attack, carried out by 40 to 60 militants, began as darkness fell on the city, 1st Lieut. Adam Rondeau said. Soldiers and marines stationed at the detention facility responded, and the resulting clash lasted about 40 minutes, Rondeau said.
"This was obviously a very well-organized attack and a very big attack," he said.
It was not immediately clear whether any of the insurgents carrying out the attack suffered casualties or were arrested.
Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the area.
Last summer, pictures showing soldiers piling prisoners naked in a pyramid at the prison were turned over to investigators. The resulting scandal tarnished the military's image in Arab countries and around the world and sparked investigations of detainee abuses.
The United States is holding about 10,500 prisoners in Iraq.
The attack, carried out by 40 to 60 militants, began as darkness fell on the city, 1st Lieut. Adam Rondeau said. Soldiers and marines stationed at the detention facility responded, and the resulting clash lasted about 40 minutes, Rondeau said.
"This was obviously a very well-organized attack and a very big attack," he said.
It was not immediately clear whether any of the insurgents carrying out the attack suffered casualties or were arrested.
Plumes of smoke were seen rising from the area.
Last summer, pictures showing soldiers piling prisoners naked in a pyramid at the prison were turned over to investigators. The resulting scandal tarnished the military's image in Arab countries and around the world and sparked investigations of detainee abuses.
The United States is holding about 10,500 prisoners in Iraq.
