Iraqi, US forces detain more than 60 terrorists
July 7, 2005
BAGHDAD (Army News Service, July 7, 2005) — Iraqi and US Soldiers detained 19 terrorists in Baghdad, cleared a weapons cache there, and also detained 48 insurgents in northern Iraq on July 5-6.
Iraqi Soldiers patrolling in Abu Ghraib were attacked by terrorists on July 5, but fought back and detained 12 of them.
The Iraqi unit from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, positively identified one of the men as a known bomb manufacturer. All 12 suspected terrorists were taken into custody for questioning.
An Iraqi Army unit working in north Baghdad caught another terror suspect earlier that day. The suspect had served in a chemical weapons unit in the Iraqi Army under the old regime. When the Iraqi Soldiers caught the man, they found compact discs with anti-Iraqi forces propaganda in his possession.
Later, an Iraqi citizen told Task Force Baghdad Soldiers he had seen three men digging holes in the vicinity of a subsequent roadside bomb attack against Coalition Forces. The man offered to lead the patrol to the attackers’ houses and identify the men.
Just before midnight July 5, the Soldiers searched two houses in the Risalah district of south Baghdad and captured three men the Iraqi citizen identified as the men he had seen placing the bombs.
“What we’ve seen in today’s activities is just one small example of how Iraqi Security Forces, with assistance from Iraqi citizens coming forward with tips, are working to defeat the efforts of terrorists who want to disrupt progress in this country,” said Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, Task Force Baghdad spokesperson. “Iraqi Soldiers and Police are conducting these kinds of missions every day.”
Weapons cache found
Another Task Force Baghdad unit working in the Jihad district of southwest Baghdad found a weapons cache containing 13 mortar rounds and numerous rifle barrels and stocks. An explosives ordnance disposal team was called to the site to safely remove the munitions.
Soldiers from 2nd and 3rd platoons, D Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade and a scout platoon from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 156th Armor Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division captured seven detainees, five AK-47 rifles, two pistols, up to 20 fully-loaded magazines, and assorted weaponry and documents, including Kellogg, Brown, and Root badge-making material, and possible imagery maps of the area.
Not long after the first detainee was positively identified, he provided intelligence to the U.S. and Iraqi Soldiers of a meeting site in the vicinity. Upon searching the specified location, forces arrested a male and female who were making false KBR badges.
Iraqi, US combat terrorists in Mosul
On July 7, Iraqi security forces and multi-national forces from Task Force Freedom killed one terrorist and detained 24 suspected terrorists during operations in Mosul.
Troops from the Iraqi Army alongside Soldiers detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation in northern Mosul. Iraqi Army and multi-national force Soldiers also detained one individual suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation west of Tal Afar. Suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported.
Cavalry Soldiers return fire
In a separate operation in Tal Afar Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment were attacked with small arms fire. Their return fire killed one terrorist. No MNF injuries were reported in the attack.
In other operations, Soldiers from 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained 16 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during two separate operations east of Tal Afar and near the Syrian border.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity at two checkpoints in Mosul.
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment detained one individual suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation in a village south of Mosul. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.
The success of detaining several terrorists was achieved through the Iraqi Army and US forces working together.
Lt. Col. Thomas Plunkett from New Orleans, La., commander of 1-156th AR, said his Soldiers cordoned the perimeter where a male and female were making the false KBR badges, while the 2-1 Iraqi Army conducted detailed searches of residences and businesses. Plunkett said the presence of the IA was recognized by the citizens.
“The 2-1 Soldiers were a very positive aspect of the operation, based on their ability to interact with the locals,” said Plunkett.
The success of the mission is one more step toward the Iraqi Army taking over operations and maintaining a positive presence in their own home.
(Editor’s Note: Information from a number of news releases was combined by ARNEWS correspondent Monica Barrera for this article).
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