THE TENSION: U.S. Statement on Baghdad Air Strike

News in Balance:

Media outlets report the U.S. military confirmed on Saturday it carried out an air strike in the Doura district of southern Baghdad on Friday, saying it had targeted men firing mortars into a neighboring area.

Here is the official word on the action:

Statement by Multi-National Force - Iraq regarding air strike in southern Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Sept. 29, 2007 (MNF-I) -- Coalition forces conducted an air strike on a group of criminals who were firing mortars from the Doura neighborhood in Baghdad Thursday evening.

On the evening of September 27, Coalition forces surveillance elements observed a group of men setting up and firing mortars in the Doura neighborhood of southern Baghdad. After they fired the mortars, the men hid the mortar tube nearby.

The criminals were also observed firing their weapons toward their neighbors to the north earlier in the evening.

Responding to this hostile action, Coalition forces called for air support and engaged the terrorists.

Coalition forces target terrorists and Al-Qaeda in Iraq continues to place innocent Iraqis into harm’s way while conducting acts of terrorism.

“These criminals continue to deliberately place innocent Iraqi women and children in danger by targeting Iraqi and Coalition forces from inhabited areas,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue to go after any criminals who commit hostile actions and oppose security and stability in Iraq.”