Military

Iraqi, U.S. forces launch raid against terrorist ring

December 6, 2005

BAGHDAD (Army News Service, Dec. 6, 2005) – Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces launched a raid in east Baghdad Dec. 4. to capture suspected members of a known terrorist ring. Within two hours, six suspects were arrested and are currently being processed into the Iraqi justice system.

“We are continuing an aggressive campaign to capture the terrorists in our zone. The Iraqi Security Forces are doing most of the work and we stand ready to support them when ever necessary,” said Col. Joseph DiSalvo, commander of Coalition Forces in east Baghdad.

During the raid, a patrol from 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry discovered an improvised explosive device. The roadside bomb, a surface laid anti-tank mine, was destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team. There were no casualties or damage to equipment.

Elsewhere, a U.S. Army military police patrol was attacked with a roadside bomb around 9 a.m. The bomb detonated between two vehicles, resulting in no casualties or damage to equipment.

Marketplace attack wounds 6

In the Rusafa area, the Iraqi Army and Iraqi police responded to the site of a roadside bomb attack that was directed against civilians at a marketplace. Six Iraqi civilians were wounded in the attack and were evacuated by Iraqi security forces and emergency services to local hospitals for treatment.

“The terrorists continue their campaign of indiscriminate violence against the population, the Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces, because they are intimidated with Iraq’s progress towards freedom and democracy,” DiSalvo said.

(Editor’s note: Maj. Russ Goemaere serves with 2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO.)