2005 Hit convoy ambush

33.633 42.816 type:event_region:IQ title 2005 Hit convoy ambush the Post-invasion Iraq May 9, 2005 Hit, Iraq Insurgent victory Private military contractors Ansar al-Sunnahttps://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/09/AR2005050900203.html Marines Kill 100 Fighters In Sanctuary Near Syria Washington Post 10 May 2005 17 contractors Unknown 16 killed1 captured (later died of wounds) Unknown if any The 2005 Hit convoy ambush was an ambush by Iraqi insurgents of a convoy that was carrying military supplies for U.S. forces. The convoy was escorted by private military contractors. The ambush ended with the death of all the contractors. Ambush On May 9, 2005, a supply convoy left the U.S. military air base at Al Asad, Iraq. The convoy was escorted by 12 Iraqi, 4 South African and 1 Japanese private military contractor. Almost immediately after they exited the base they were observed by Iraqi insurgents. The insurgents then prepared a well planned ambush for the convoy. While the vehicles were passing near the city of Hit, 170 kilometers (105 mi) northwest of Baghdad, the insurgents struck. The ambush was complex and well planned, incorporating the use of multiple improvised explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades, machine gun fire and small arms fire. The vehicles got stuck in the ambush were unable to pull back. For several hours a fierce battle raged and by morning the convoy was decimated. U.S. military helicopters arrived at the scene only after dawn broke. Insurgent propaganda footage showed burning trucks and SUV's with bodies littering the streets. 16 of the 17 security contractors were killed and the Japanese man was seriously wounded and captured. Insurgent casualties, if any, were unknown.http://english.people.com.cn/200505/10/eng20050510_184229.html People's Daily Online -- Japanese contractor taken hostage in Iraq English.people.com.cn 13 October 2014http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,,2-10-1460_1703846,00.html News24, South Africa's premier news source, provides breaking news on national, world, Africa, sport, entertainment, technology & more. News24 13 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20050525220749/http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,,2-10-1460_1703846,00.html 25 May 2005 deadhttp://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,,2-10-1460_1702537,00.html News24, South Africa's premier news source, provides breaking news on national, world, Africa, sport, entertainment, technology & more. News24 13 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20080522131936/http://www.news24.com/News24/World/Iraq/0,,2-10-1460_1702537,00.html 22 May 2008 dead Aftermath Following the attack there was much confusion over what really happened, but the only thing definitely confirmed was that a Japanese security contractor was wounded and captured in the attack. Akihiko Saito was seriously wounded in the attack and captured by the insurgents. This raised the public debate in Japan to new heights whether Japanese troops should stay in Iraq or leave. Saito had been in the Japanese military until 1981, when he left the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and joined the French Foreign Legion. He had been working with Hart Security Ltd. as a security specialist at the time of his capture. The militants tried to provide him with medical aid but it was not enough. It was reported on May 12 that he had died of his wounds. References Category:Private military contractors in the Iraq War Category:Battles of the Iraq War in 2005 Category:Battles of the Iraq War involving Sunni insurgent groups Category:May 2005 in Iraq Category:Battles of the Anbar campaign (2003–2011) Category:Ambushes of the Iraq War Category:2005 road incidents Category:2000s road incidents in Asia Category:Road incidents in Iraq