Ansar al-Sunnah Claims Killing of 8 U.S. Marines
By Evan Kohlmann
The Ansar al-Sunnah Army in Iraq has claimed responsibility for an ambush leading to the murders of at least eight U.S. Marines in the northern surburbs of the western Iraqi city of Haditha. According to published communiqués, the attack took place "in the Al-Jazirah region, which is a vast, desert-like area that is commonly used by the mujahideen to launch their rockets and Hawn mortar shells targeting the American base at the Haditha dam. The courageous mujahideen lingered in that area for nine days waiting for the American forces to arrive there." Ansar al-Sunnah further claimed that it had attempted to capture the Marines alive--however, after they encountered resistance, the mujahideen responded "with their own heavy fire backed up with Hawn mortar shells" killing eight American soldiers.
Click to view English translation of communiqués c/o Globalterroralert.com
Click to view video of Ansar al-Sunnah battle in Haditha c/o Globalterroralert.com
Click to view Pentagon statement concerning Ansar al-Sunnah video from Haditha