An unknown group claimed Friday to have captured two American troops in an attack on a military convoy west of Baghdad, according to a statement broadcast Friday by the Lebanese Broadcasting Corp. Pentagon officials, however, said the soldiers were safe and had never been missing.
The statement from a group calling itself Al-Madina al-Munawara Division was delivered to LBC along with two identification cards, the privately owned station said.
LBC broadcast close-ups of the cards - a laminated military ID in the name of Capt. Katherine V. Rose of the 142nd Corps Support Battalion from Fort Polk, La., and a Pennsylvania driver's license with the name Andrew C. Peters, 37.
According to a database of National Guard units nationwide, the 142nd Corps Support Battalion is based at Fort Polk and currently is deployed in Iraq, the AP reported. "The report is not true. Both soldiers are accounted for," said Spc. Anthony Reinoso, an Army spokesman in Iraq.
The statement said the two soldiers were injured and captured when an Al-Madina unit opened fire on their convoy west of Baghdad.
It warned British and Australian forces, as well as all other countries that may send troops to Iraq, that they will be subjected to more attacks. The statement added Al-Madina Al-Munawara Division is made up of members of the former Iraqi army under the regime of Saddam Hussein. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
