AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS INJURED IN IRAQ

 At approximately 6.30pm last night in Iraq a patrol from the Australian Overwatch Battle Group West (OBG(W)) was involved in an incident where an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) was detonated as the vehicles moved past. 

There have been no fatalities however two ADF personnel have been wounded. 

The patrol was comprised of two (2) Australian Light Armoured Vehicles (ASLAV). One vehicle was extensively damaged and destroyed by a subsequent fire. The second vehicle suffered only mobility damage and was unable to move. 

Two crew of the seriously damaged ASLAV were wounded. One soldier suffered lower leg wounds while another soldier suffered less serious wounds. The injuries are not assessed as life threatening. None of the crew of the second vehicle were wounded. 

Both wounded personnel were evacuated by coalition aircraft to the US hospital at the Tallil Air Base for further treatment and observation. They may be moved to Baghdad for further treatment if recommended by medical staff.

 Family members of the wounded personnel have been informed by Defence officials.

 The incident occurred north of An Nasariyah in the Dhi Qar Province.

 The incident site has been secured by the OBG(W) and the damaged vehicles will be recovered to Tallil in due course. The Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Service provided assistance at the incident site.

 This is not the first incident involving attempted IED attacks against our troops in southern Iraq. In both Iraq and Afghanistan our people face the threat of these attacks on a regular basis as the use of IED’s is the preferred method of attack against the coalition forces.

 The selection of armoured vehicles such as ASLAV and Bushmaster vehicles to operate in the Middle East have proven themselves during this operation and other deployments as offering excellent level of protection to our troops.

 It is testimony to the high level of training and the robustness of the equipment issued to the deployed force that outcomes of this incident are not more severe.

In two separate incidents yesterday, an OBG(W) patrol was engaged by Anti-Iraqi Forces with seven rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire, at midday north of An Nasariyah.

Late last night, OBG(W) personnel supporting the IED site used small arms fire on a vehicle travelling at high speed toward them. The driver of the vehicle refused to stop despite warnings issued. There were no reports of injuries to the occupants of the vehicle.

 There were no injuries to ADF personnel and no damage sustained by OBG(W) vehicles in either incident.