|
Ministry of Interior Commandos
encounter insurgent training facility
TIKRIT, Iraq - Members of the
Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MOI) 1st Police Commando Battalion
discovered and attacked an apparent training facility for Anti-Iraqi
Forces (AIF) in southwestern Salah Ad Din Province at about 11 a.m.
March 22.
The MOI officers received both indirect and direct fire from the
facility as they approached near Lake Tharthar on the border with
Iraq's Al Anbar Province. The MOI commandos attacked through the
objective and forced the insurgents to break contact.
Elements of Task Force Liberty's Aviation Brigade provided
supporting fires to the MOI officers. Soldiers from the 1st Brigade
Combat Team responded to support the MOI attack.
An early assessment of the site indicates a facility for training
Anti-Iraqi Forces. Documentation at the facility indicates that some
members of the AIF were foreign fighters.
Initial reports from the Ministry of Interior forces indicate seven
MOI commandos killed and an additional six wounded. An undetermined
number of insurgents and foreign fighters were killed at the site.
No Task Force Liberty Soldiers were wounded in the incident.
"Iraqis can take immense pride today in the conduct of their
security forces," said Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto, commander of the
42nd Infantry Division and Task Force Liberty. "Today's actions
indicate how strong Iraqi Security Forces are becoming and how far
they can reach."
Task Force Liberty consists of the Army National Guard's 42nd
Infantry Division Headquarters and base units along with the 116th
Brigade Combat Team and 278th Regimental Combat Team and the 1st and
3rd Brigade Combat Teams from the Army's 3rd Infantry Division.
Text for release and opsec review
provided by the 42ND Infantry Division Public Affairs Office. For
more information, please contact 42 ID PAO at
fortysecond.id.pao@us.army.MIL.
Release #050322e |
