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U.S. General Says Mosul Attack Likely Suicide Bomb


22 December 2004 -- A top U.S. general says the attack on an army dining hall in northern Iraq yesterday was likely caused by a suicide bomber.

General Richard Myers, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the statement today to reporters at the Pentagon.

"At this point, it looks like it was an improvised explosive device worn by an attacker," Myers said.

The statement suggests an insurgent had infiltrated the U.S. base before detonating the bomb that killed 18 Americans and four Iraqis near the city of Mosul.

Myers' comments come as U.S. forces today sealed off parts of Mosul as they hunted for suspects responsible for the attack.

In Paris today, two French journalists, Christian Chesnot and Georges Malbrunot, arrived home today after being held hostage in Iraq for four months. Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said no ransom was paid for their release.

(Reuters/AFP/AP)

See also:

Iraq: U.S. Military Investigating Deadly Mosul Blast


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