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US Blames Iran for Bomb Toll

Record number of fatalitles linked to EFP attacks

Posted Aug 8, 2007 12:31 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A sophisticated bomb that the US military has tracked to Iran was used in a record number of attacks on American-led troops last month, the New York Times reports. The  bombs—called explosively formed penetrators—fire  a semi-molten copper slug that can break through the armor of a Humvee. They were responsible for 99 strikes and a third of the 69 combat fatalities in July, according to the military.

The bombs have been linked to Iran by interrogated Shiite militants, according to American military intelligence. Officials also cite technical similarities among bombs recovered in Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, where they have been used by Hezbollah. Iran has denied responsibility, and White House critics claim the accusations are an attempt to shift blame for policy blunders.

U.S. soldier gets on a Humvee to leave the combat outpost of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in the Amariyah neighborhood of west Baghdad, Iraq on Monday, July 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
U.S. soldier gets on a Humvee to leave the combat outpost of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in the Amariyah neighborhood of west Baghdad, Iraq on...   (Associated Press)
A U.S. military vehicle burns in the Shiite slum of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, May 5, 2007. A U.S. Humvee was destroyed in a roadside bomb attack and there was no immediate information about casualties. (AP Photo/Ali al-Khazali)
A U.S. military vehicle burns in the Shiite slum of Sadr City in Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, May 5, 2007. A U.S. Humvee was destroyed in a roadside bomb attack and there was no immediate information about...   (Associated Press)
A U.S. military vehicle burns near Samarra, 95 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, April 18, 2007. A roadside bomb went off next to an American military convoy, damaging one Humvee, local police said. Eyewitnesses reported casualties among U.S. troops.(AP Photo)
A U.S. military vehicle burns near Samarra, 95 kilometers (60 miles) north of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, April 18, 2007. A roadside bomb went off next to an American military convoy, damaging one Humvee,...   (Associated Press)
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World • US

 
Iraq • Iran • Lebanon • Hezbollah • US military • roadside bomb • war • bomb • militant

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