06 December 2003
Coalition Reports Progress on Military, Civic Fronts in Iraq
Dec. 5 summary of recent U.S. Central Command reports
By Howard Cincotta
Washington File Special Correspondent
Washington -- Continuing military operations by coalition forces in Iraq have resulted in the capture of large numbers of insurgents as well as a substantial reduction in the number of attacks against coalition and Iraqi personnel, according to recent reports from the U.S. Central Command (Centcom).
At the same time, U.S. and coalition forces have undertaken a variety of rebuilding and civic-action projects designed to improve the daily life of the Iraqi people, Centcom reports.
In military operations on December 3-4, for example, elements of the 82nd Airborne Division conducted 161 patrols, including 10 with the Iraqi border guards and police. During these operations, Centcom said, 63 enemy personnel were captured and one killed. Soldiers captured caches of small arms, munitions, military uniforms, legal and counterfeit Iraqi currency, and improvised explosive devices.
In the town of Husaybah, soldiers also discovered a logbook of previous attacks against coalition forces. Following recent operations, the number of attacks in Husaybah --- previously the hostile town in the region according to Centcom -- dropped significantly.
On the civil-affairs front, Centcom reports, 82nd Airborne personnel are continuing to work with Iraqi authorities to repair water and sewage facilities in the Ar Ramadi region, and to complete payments for the rehabilitation of a school in Abo Al Jeer, which has been closed since 1991. Repairs, which began in early November and will benefit approximately 350 students, are scheduled for completion on December 10, according to Centcom.
Centcom also reported that civil affairs teams are working with local officials in Iskandariyah to rehabilitate 19 primary and secondary schools that will affect more than 5,000 students.
On December 4, Centcom announced that the 5th Iraqi Civil Defense Corps, consisting of 174 personnel, will graduate from the Havea Training Center. Meanwhile, both police and civil defense personnel continue to receive instruction in a police-training seminar at Al Amariyah.
In Ar Ramadi, soldiers with the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade joined with the town's Young Businessmen Association to sponsor a business development conference held on December 1-2.
The conference, which featured both Iraqi and coalition speakers, covered such topics as role of government, the legal climate in business development, and new opportunities for business in the Al Anbar region, according to Centcom.
On December 3, Centcom reported that forces from the 82nd Airborne, along with Iraqi security units, conducted a series of raids in Fallujah that targeted and captured members of an insurgent cell, including Abu Bilal Al Janabi, suspected of paying rewards for attacks against coalition forces.
In Kirkuk, soldiers of the 172 Airborne Brigade launched a series of successful operations in cooperation with Iraqi security and police units that targeted former regime elements, Centcom reported on December 3. They captured 26 individuals suspected of being Fedayeen Saddam members, along with 62 assault rifles, ammunition, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and two kits for making improvised explosive devices.
Coalition forces made an even larger discovery north of Khalidiyah, Centcom said: 650 anti-tank mines, 400 anti-personnel mines, and 280 rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), RPG propellant, and various small arms and munitions.
(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=December&x=20031206173530attocnich0.1481897&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html
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