Iraqi Insurgents Attack Abu Ghraib

BAGHDAD, Iraq – About 50 insurgents were wounded and at least one was killed during March 2 attack on Abu Ghraib prison west of Baghdad, U.S. military officials say.

The U.S. military statement said insurgents attacked in multiple locations at the same time, focusing on two guard towers and then using a car bomb to try to penetrate a gate. Attackers failed to enter the prison, and no inmates escaped.

U.S. attack helicopters and reaction forces helped push back the attack. The attack included gunfire, mortars and rocket propelled grenades. More than 40 U.S. service members and 13 prisoners were injured at the prison. The United States is holding 10,500 prisoners in Iraq, with nearly 3,500 at Abu Ghraib, which is considered to be the most modern of Iraq’s existing prisons.

An Internet statement posted later – purportedly by al-Qaida in Iraq, which has claimed responsibility for the attack – said 10 attackers were killed in the operation, including seven suicide car bombers. The statement said two others were injured.

The Internet statement said insurgents had done reconnaissance work and gathered intelligence information “from our sources among the enemy” before the attack. Seven U.S. service members were evacuated to a combat support hospital, and 16 others who suffered minor injuries from shrapnel had returned to duty a few days later.