Policeman shot dead in Iraq

A 29-year-old Dutch military policeman was shot dead and five other Dutch military personnel were seriously wounded during a firefight in Iraq.

The incident occurred on Saturday in the southern al-Muthana province, where some 1,350 Dutch troops are located, apparently when a Dutch patrol was attacked by unknown assailants, the Dutch Ministry said in a statement.

The Dutch base in Ar Rumaythah also came under fire shortly later. The five seriously wounded in the gun battle – four soldiers and a second military police officer – were in stable condition.

In the latest incident, a Dutch quick reaction force and Apache helicopters were involved in the fighting. A US Black Hawk helicopter evacuated the wounded with a Dutch medical team onboard.

It is still unknown who attacked the Dutch forces, but an inquiry will be carried out, the ministry said.