BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldiers killed six criminals, who attacked Coalition forces with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, during multiple engagements in the Sadr City district of Baghdad May 8.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were attacked by criminals with RPGs and small-arms fire. Soldiers returned fire and killed one criminal.

At approximately 2 p.m., soldiers from 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., identified one special group criminal on a rooftop with a weapon. Soldiers engaged the criminal and killed him.

At approximately 4:30 p.m., soldiers from 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., and 1138th Engineers Battalion, were attacked with RPGs and small-arms fire while they were emplacing barriers to provide security for the residents of Sadr City. Soldiers fired one tank round and machine gun fire, killing three criminals.

Soldiers from 1138th Eng. Battalion were later struck by an improvised explosive device while conducting a route clearing mission at approximately 5 p.m. Soldiers were then attacked with RPGs and returned fire, killing one criminal. No soldiers were injured in the IED attack.

“Special Group criminals continue to disrupt the security of local Iraqi communities,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman, MND-B and 4th Infantry Division. “These barriers will improve security, life will get better for Sadr City residents, and together, with the Iraqi Security Forces, we will bring the criminals to justice.”