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All Bucca escapees recaptured
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Cooperation between Iraqi and US security forces
has resulted in the successful recovery of all 11 detainees who had
escaped Camp Bucca's detention facility April 16.
At approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday, US forces discovered a hole in
the fence in one of the compounds. The quick reaction force and all
available guards responded and conducted a comprehensive search of the
interior and exterior perimeter of Camp Bucca. That response team
alerted Iraqi Security Forces and other Coalition elements. During the
search, a head count was conducted in the compound and 11 detainees
were found to be missing.
The Iraqi Security Forces were able to quickly recapture 10 of the
escapees at approximately 7 a.m. By 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, the
Iraqi Security Forces had recaptured the final missing detainee and
transferred the 11 recovered escapees back into control of US forces
at Camp Bucca. The 11 escapees were all recaptured in the same general
area approximately 15 kilometers north-west of Camp Bucca.
The detainees used a makeshift tool to break the fence wire and create
a hole to exit the compound. The detainees used the cover of darkness
to cross underneath the perimeter fence and facilitate their escape.
The 11 detainees have been declared security risks under United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1546. They are being detained on
charges which range from possession of illegal weapons to terrorist
attacks against the Iraqi people and Coalition forces. An additional
charge of escape will now be added when these detainees are tried
before the Central Criminal Court of Iraq.
Camp Bucca is located in the south-eastern region of Iraq and holds
more than 6,000 detainees.
TEXT PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR TASK FORCE 134
(DETAINEE OPERATIONS). For more information, contact LTC GUY RUDISILL
AT GUY.RUDISILL@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.
Release #050417c |
