Dear Interested Readers,
Many criminals continue to be rounded up or killed, and large weapon caches found. It's nice to read that our troops are very encouraged by the skill and determination of the Iraqi troops. The training programs by the military are paying off!
Joanna
___________________________________
Multi-National Corps - Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
April 2, 2008
Iraqi SF, advised by U.S. SOF, detain two suspects in separate ops
BAGHDAD - April 1, in Balad, Iraqi SOF detained a suspected IED cell leader who is reported to be responsible for IED and indirect fire attacks against LSA Anaconda. Intel reports have linked him and his criminal network to an IED attack in October 2007 that killed one CF Soldier and wounded three others.
During another op in Mosul, the Mosul Iraqi SWAT unit detained a suspected terrorist who is reported to be involved in the kidnapping, torture and murder of Iraqi SF personnel in the area.
-30-
SOI prevent suicide attack
TIKRIT - Members of the SoI, or Abna al-Iraq, engaged a suicide bomber before he could detonate his explosive device in Kirkuk Province, April 1.
IP and members of the SoI engaged a man wearing a suicide vest on Market Street in Hawijah, preventing any casualties.
The SoI are an armed neighborhood watch group in Kirkuk and are part of the Isnad, meaning "unity" in Arabic, movement.
-30-
INP arrest 3, uncover weapons cache
BAGHDAD - Iraqi NP detained 3 suspected insurgents after a search of their vehicle uncovered a weapons cache in the New Baghdad district in northeastern Baghdad, March 31.
Co C, 2nd Bn, 30th Inf Regt reported INP confiscated 5 rockets, 2 mortar rounds, 2 hand grenades, 3 blasting caps and a 9 mm pistol.
-30-
Hillah SWAT unit, advised by U.S. SF, detain 20 suspected smugglers in Basra
BAGHDAD - April 1, Hillah ISWAT conducted the op, under the direction of the Govt of Iraq, to disrupt the largest smuggling organization in Basra.
During the op, ISWAT detained 20 persons suspected of smuggling vehicles into the port city and recovered 2 illegal sedans, various small arms and ammo, and $262,000 in U.S. currency. Additionally, 2 boats used for smuggling were destroyed.
-30-
Sons of Iraq turn over suicide belt to MND-C Soldier
BAGHDAD - In the North Babil area of Iraq, March 25, MND-C Soldiers of 4th BCT, 3rd ID, stationed at Patrol Base Kelsey, spoke with the local residents who found the belt and immediately called an explosive ordnance disposal team.
The find came after several reports of a possible suicide vest in Hanaswa, a neighboring region. Reports claimed members of AQI were planning to detonate the suicide vest once a proper carrier was found.
"The find is really an affirmation of the success we've experienced over the last couple months with security in our area of op," said 1st Lt. Jon Cheatwood, a plt. leader with the Div.
In the last several months, the SOI have turned in hundreds of unexploded ordnance and IED-related materials.
-30-
IA Brigade unilateral operation nets AQI, sizeable cache
KIRKUK - IA Bde detained 12 enemy personnel during an intel-driven op in Hafriyah, southeast of Kirkuk, March 31.
They also discovered a cache during the op that contained 400 30mm rounds, 83 57mm rockets, 7 propane tanks, 6 blocks of C-4, 25 250-pound bombs and 5 130mm projectiles as well as numerous small arms weapons and bomb-making materials.
-30-
MND-N Soldiers discover mortar cache
TIKRIT - Working off a tip from an Iraqi citizen, MND-North Soldiers discovered a weapons cache in Ta' Mim province, March 31, consisting of more than 100 mortar rounds northeast of Kirkuk.
"This find is testament to the fact that the true citizens of Iraq are standing up to make their nation a better place," said Maj. Dan Meyers, a MND spokesman.
-30-
Sons of Iraq foil kidnapping attempt
TIKRIT - The Abna al-Iraq, or SoI, prevented the kidnapping of 2 women and 4 children in Diyala, March 30.
The SOI in the village of Abu Harab fought off 4 vehicles full of AQI members after the victims had been apprehended. They recovered all the kidnapped victims.
-30-
Iraqi Army, MND-B Soldiers kill 7, detain 4 criminals
BAGHDAD - In separate engagements March 30, Soldiers from 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div, were conducting a route clearing op when the vehicle they were traveling in was struck by an IED in eastern Baghdad. Soldiers were then attacked by small-arms fire as they secured the damaged vehicle and prepared to move. Soldiers returned fire and killed 5 criminals. No Soldiers were injured.
IA soldiers were attacked by small-arms fire in southeastern Baghdad. The Soldiers retuned fire and killed 2 criminals and detained 4 others.
-30-
Iraq Army, CF Engineers team up in Mosul for COP Inman rebuild
TIKRIT - IA Engineers and the U.S. Army 232nd Eng. Co. have started reconstruction of COP Inman in western Mosul. The COP was the target of a suicide-truck-bomb, which killed 13 Iraqi Soldiers and wounded 35, March 23.
"The IA has been great ... last night they were stringing Hescos (barriers) with our guys," said 1st Lt. Nathan Foust. "We had their two bucket loaders ... all day helping with the filling. We only had one [bucket loader] out here, so it was a huge help, it would have taken a lot longer without them."
IA and CF engineers, as well as IA inf., are working around the clock to rebuild the COP. The Soldiers are taking steps to improve security, improve the roads and re-level the surface.
"By rebuilding, we are showing the people that we have the will to continue this fight, to win, that we will not abandon them," said Nami Ibhrahim, an Iraqi soldier. "We will carry the fight, wherever they make it, we will win. With all my friends in the IA, I will stay and fight, forever if we have to. I am from Diyala and he is from Baghdad, but together we are the IA."
-30-
Cavalry unit responds to insurgent activity
By Staff Sgt. Sean Riley, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div.
BAGHDAD - In and around Jisr Diyala, a town east of Baghdad, March 26, 3-1st Cav. Regt. Soldiers were engaged by small-arms fire from insurgents. During the days following, enemy activity increased, leading to AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the 3rd Combat Aviation Bde engaging 5 insurgents in the early hours of March 28. During the 3-day period, 9 insurgents were killed, 2 were wounded and another 23 were detained by Iraqi NP.
"We have seen a significant increase in enemy activity in the last two days in Jisr Diyala," said Maj. David Guthrie, ops officer for 3-1st Cav. Regt. "Two days ago, we had patrols involved in sustained small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade engagements."
Guthrie was involved in a firefight with insurgents on the north side of Jisr Diyala while on a combat patrol March 27. "We were talking with the men at SoI and NP checkpoints," he said. "We had received reports that insurgents were driving around with weapons telling the men at the checkpoints to throw down their arms and desert their posts or face being attacked." Caught in a cross-fire, Guthrie and his patrol called for assistance. Shortly after, U.S. Army attack helicopters and fighter aircraft were assisting the patrol, while the NP cleared the insurgents from an adjacent palm grove, Guthrie said.
In a separate incident during the early-morning hours of March 28, 5 men were observed acting suspiciously in the city. Attack aviation pilots conducted a further recon and determined hostile intent. The attack helicopters engaged the men, killing the 5 suspects.
"During the 3 days of fighting in Jisr Diyala, the ISF and SoI held their ground and took the fight to the enemy," said Maj. Dave Fivecoat, the 3rd HBCT ops officer. "I've been encouraged by our ISF and SOI partners' determination to stop the violence."
-30-