Post by Salem6 on Feb 19, 2004 12:09:38 GMT
US troops in Iraq have detained 55 people for questioning after a US-run prison to the west of Baghdad came under heavy mortar and rocket attack.
One Iraqi was killed in an exchange of fire and an American soldier was slightly wounded, the US military said.
The suburb of Abu Ghraib in western Baghdad has a history of unrest
Five rockets and 33 mortars were fired at the Abu Ghraib prison, they said.
Abu Ghraib, which was one of Iraq's most notorious prisons under Saddam Hussein, is used by the US military to house captured regime members.
The Americans - who have renamed the complex the Baghdad Correctional Facility - are also using it to imprison and interrogate hundreds of Iraqis suspected of involvement in attacks against coalition targets.
Speaking after the Wednesday evening attack, a US military spokesman said, "Coalition forces engaged and killed one enemy, 55 people were detained for questioning".
A US soldier was treated for minor injuries and has returned to duty, he added.
Baquba blast
Elsewhere, a roadside bomb in the town of Baquba, 60km 40 miles) north-east of Baghdad, has injured an Iraqi policeman, security officials said.
The explosion happened early on Thursday as a US military convoy was passing by.
No US casualties were reported.
Seven people arrested in a dawn raid in Baquba on Wednesday are meanwhile being interrogated by the US on suspicion of al-Qaeda links.
The latest attacks came as an announcement was awaited from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the feasibility of holding legislative elections before the end of June, as demanded by Shia religious leaders.
One Iraqi was killed in an exchange of fire and an American soldier was slightly wounded, the US military said.
The suburb of Abu Ghraib in western Baghdad has a history of unrest
Five rockets and 33 mortars were fired at the Abu Ghraib prison, they said.
Abu Ghraib, which was one of Iraq's most notorious prisons under Saddam Hussein, is used by the US military to house captured regime members.
The Americans - who have renamed the complex the Baghdad Correctional Facility - are also using it to imprison and interrogate hundreds of Iraqis suspected of involvement in attacks against coalition targets.
Speaking after the Wednesday evening attack, a US military spokesman said, "Coalition forces engaged and killed one enemy, 55 people were detained for questioning".
A US soldier was treated for minor injuries and has returned to duty, he added.
Baquba blast
Elsewhere, a roadside bomb in the town of Baquba, 60km 40 miles) north-east of Baghdad, has injured an Iraqi policeman, security officials said.
The explosion happened early on Thursday as a US military convoy was passing by.
No US casualties were reported.
Seven people arrested in a dawn raid in Baquba on Wednesday are meanwhile being interrogated by the US on suspicion of al-Qaeda links.
The latest attacks came as an announcement was awaited from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the feasibility of holding legislative elections before the end of June, as demanded by Shia religious leaders.