2003 Nasiriyah bombing

Infobox terrorist attack
title=Nasiriyah Carabinieri Bombing


caption= Aftermath of the attack
location=Nasiriyah, Iraq
target=Italian military police headquarters
date=November 12 2003
type=suicide bombing
fatalities=17 Italian soldiers [ [http://icasualties.org/oif/prdDetails.aspx?hndRef=11-2003 Period Details ] ] 2 Italian civilians 9 Iraqi civilians
injuries=103 (including 19 Italian soldiers)
perps=Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-JihadThe 2003 Nasiriyah bombing was a suicide attack on the Italian military police headquarters in Nasiriyah, Iraq, south of Baghdad on November 12, 2003.

Prelude

Before the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, the future Carabinieri headquarters was the Nasiriyah Chamber of Commerce, a three-story structure near the Euphrates River. The first U.S. forces to occupy the building were Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who were later relieved by reservists from the 2nd Battalion 25th Marines.

On July 19, 2003 the Marines in Nasiriyah were replaced by members of the Carabinieri and Italian army.

Attack

Insurgents first fired at the police checkpoint on the main road to the Italian headquarters. The police returned fire, but were unable to halt the attack. When the police scatered, the insurgent fighters removed the roadblock and a tanker truck rigged with explosives detonated next to the three-story building, tearing off its facade. The huge explosion also hit nearby houses. At least 28 people were killed, including 17 Italian "carabinieri", two Italian civilians, and nine Iraqi civilians. More than 100 people were injured, including 19 Italian soldiers

Aftermath

The attack was the worst incident involving Italian soldiers since Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and the highest loss of Italian soldiers since World War II. The attack thus shocked Italy and plunged it into a three-day mourning period. The soldiers were given a state funeral.

External links

* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/11/13/MNGJ730QPA1.DTL Attack on Italian police kills 26 in Iraq]

References

ee also

*Operation Ancient Babylon