Obama shocked, saddened at shooting in U.S. camp in Iraq

Source: Xinhua | 05-12-2009 09:31

WASHINGTON, May 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Monday that he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by a shooting incident in a U.S. military camp in Iraq.

"I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news from Camp Victory this morning, and my heart goes out to the families and friends of all the service members involved in this horrible tragedy," said Obama in a statement.

The Pentagon confirmed earlier the day that five U.S. soldiers were killed in a shooting incident at the U.S. base near Baghdad International airport.

Without providing further details, the military said that the case "is under investigation and more information will be released when it becomes available."

Obama assured that the government is "doing everything" it can to ensure "our men and women in uniform are protected as they serve our country so capably and courageously in harm's way."

He also said that he has met with Defense Secretary Robert Gates to get a briefing on the situation.