NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
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Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
October 28, 2004
Release Number: 04-10-70
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IRAQI SWAT TEAM ROLLS UP 18 INSURGENTS IN NORTHERN BABIL
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq - The Iraqi SWAT team, backed by elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, captured 18 insurgents during a sweep through the south-central Iraqi town of Haswah Oct. 27.
The operation raised to nearly 500 the number of insurgents caught by Iraqi Security Forces and their Marine allies since the MEU arrived in northern Babil province three months ago.
The SWAT team has emerged as an elite unit within the ISF, training and operating alongside the MEU's Force Reconnaissance platoon. In recent weeks, the team has planned and led dozens of raids and house-to-house searches throughout the province. Its success has contributed substantially to the momentum ISF and the MEU have been building in the province over the past several weeks.
On Oct. 5, the allies launched their most sweeping operation to date, moving against numerous targets throughout their zone in a continuing campaign to provide security and stability to the province's nearly one million citizens.
Daily missions have been led, variously, by the Iraqi SWAT team, the Iraqi Specialized Special Forces, the Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi police and the U.S. Marines.
According to Col. Ron Johnson, the commander of the 24th MEU, the Marines and the Iraqis they're supporting have no intention of letting up.
"The ISF, assisted by Marines, will relentlessly pursue and bring to justice the insurgents who are terrorizing the citizens of Iraq," he said.
Efforts aimed at capturing AIF and disrupting their activity are set to intensify further with the steady addition of newly trained ISF.
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