Military: Deaths possibly friendly fire

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Three Army soldiers who were gunned down during an intensive, three-hour firefight in the Salahuddin province north of Baghdad last week, may have died from friendly fire, military officials said Tuesday.

The three 101st Airborne Division soldiers were part of an Army company that was attacked by as many as 15 insurgents on Jan. 8, after discovering several large caches of explosives.

Military officials said the incident is being investigated to determine whether the soldiers were killed by shots from the enemy or by U.S. forces, including members of their unit and aircraft called in for backup later in the battle.

A detailed account of the incident was described by several officials to The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is not complete.



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080115/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/friendly_fire_3

[Zywiec]

1. Fratricide sucks! n/t

[Thothmes]

2. Friendly fire isn't

[sabra]

3. 3 soldiers' Iraq deaths lead to friendly fire inquiry

Source: CNN

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Army is investigating the possibility three soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division who died in a firefight in Iraq may have been killed by friendly fire, according to U.S. military officials.

Those officials emphasized it is not yet certain how the soldiers were killed January 8, but confirmed their families were notified of the friendly fire possibility.

The incident took place southwest of Samarra, when the unit, on patrol, discovered buildings filled with explosives and weapon-making material. After further searching, they encountered more than a dozen insurgents fighting from a network of tunnels and trenches.

In the ensuing firefight, helicopters and other aircraft were called to attack targets. The officials said it's possible three of the troops died as a result of those airstrikes.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/01/15/iraq.friendly.fire/?iref=mpstoryview