IRAQ - IOM Convoy Attacked, Driver Killed

- On Sunday morning a two-vehicle IOM road convoy traveling from Baghdad to Hilla was attacked in a drive-by shooting.

Joel Malik, an Iraqi driver who had been with IOM for just two weeks, was killed instantly. He was married with a young son.

His passenger, an Australian protection officer working with IOM's programme to help internally displaced Iraqis, was seriously injured.

Her condition is now stable and she is currently being treated in a US military hospital for a broken ankle and broken arm.

Two other IOM staff traveling in the second vehicle, which was also fired on, sustained light injuries from flying glass.

The two UN-marked blue and orange vehicles were ambushed some 15 km south of Baghdad. A pick-up truck or SUV pulled from behind and passed the last vehicle. Gunmen then opened fire and drove away.

A WHO convoy arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and assisted the victims.

IOM has temporarily suspended inter-city convoys until the incident is fully investigated and security arrangements reviewed. IOM in Iraq operates under UN security rules laid down by UNSECOORD, the UN security agency.


IOM Iraq Press Note 21 July 2003