Attackers derailed a train in western Iraq, hitting it with a Rocket-Propelled Grenade, a US military statement said Saturday. "An Iraqi train en route to Babbaniyah was attacked with a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG)," on Wednesday, the 82nd airborne division said.
"The round impacted the train and disabled the vehicle," it added.
The 82nd airborne division described the attackers as "looters" and said they only stripped the train of its engine batteries.
Meanwhile, scores of Bulgarian troops have refused to join a 500-member contingent heading for Iraq after attacks there in which five Bulgarian soldiers died, the chief of staff of the Bulgarian Army said Friday.
"Between 25 and 30 soldiers have declined duty, probably as a result of pressure from their families," Gen. Nikola Kolev told Bulgarian radio, according to AFP.
The new arrivals are scheduled to replace 480 Bulgarian troops who have served since September as part of a 9,000-strong Polish-led multinational contingent in Iraq.
General Kolev said that the soldiers preparing for duty in Iraq had committed themselves "on a voluntary basis" but added that those who wished to withdraw would have to "reimburse expenses for their training for the mission and for their medical exams." (Albawaba.com)
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