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NEWS RELEASE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

May 16, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-55


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE (May 16, 2003)

COBRA BASE, IRAQ -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol to make Iraq safer for all Iraqis by eliminating smuggling and trade in weapons and explosives. Coalition forces also continue to conduct training and joint security patrols with Iraqi police in efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.

Update on Fourth Infantry Division Raid of a Regime Safe House in Ad Dawr Yesterday:

The raid resulted in the capture of 262 Iraqis. This included #52 on the U.S. Central Command 'Iraqi Top 55' list, Adilabdillah Mahdi Al Duri Al-Tikriti, who was the Ba'ath Party Regional Command Chairman for the Dhi Qar District.

Coalition Activity:

A dismounted patrol from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division followed four individuals carrying weapons yesterday. The patrol returned fire when the individuals shot at them. They killed one person, detained three others and confiscated four AK-47 rifles and a pistol. No U.S. soldiers were injured.

Second Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division soldiers raided a reported arms market in Baghdad yesterday. Two weapons were confiscated.

An individual cut off the water in Mosul yesterday and then started charging local Iraqi citizens for access. Soldiers from the 101st Air Assault Division detained the individual and turned the water back on.

Soldiers of the 101st Air Assault Division attempted to disarm an adult male with an AK-47 rifle Thursday in southwest Mosul. The gunman tried to escape and fired at them. The soldiers returned fire, killing him. The soldiers sustained no casualties.

Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division stopped a vehicle at a checkpoint for a random vehicle inspection yesterday in Baghdad. The search yielded two AK-47 rifles, a grenade, a pistol and 200,000 dinar. The individuals were detained for questioning.

Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division followed up on a report from an Iraqi citizen in Baghdad yesterday and seized an 82mm mortar and 11 rounds of mortar ammunition.

Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery, 17th Field Artillery Brigade reported enemy contact in the vicinity of western Taji yesterday. A quick reaction force from the 4th Infantry Division responded and destroyed an enemy vehicle and captured four Iraqis.

Marines from The 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment were fired upon by six Iraqis while on patrol in An Nasiriyah yesterday. The Marines returned fire, killing one Iraqi and wounding another.

Marines from the 2d Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment were fired upon by several Iraqis during a cordon and search mission in Ash Shatrah yesterday. They returned fire, killing one Iraqi.

Four individuals ambushed a group of 3rd Infantry Division military policemen in Baghdad early Friday morning. The soldiers returned fire to break contact with the ambush, killed two gunmen, and wounded the other two. The soldiers sustained no casualties.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Baghdad: Coalition forces conducted one raid and 412 patrols. Eighteen of the 412 patrols were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. These patrols arrested 119 people for various crimes, including looting, weapons violations, stealing vehicles and shooting at Coalition forces. They also seized nine AK-47 rifles, one 82mm mortar, eight pistols, five vehicles and 200,000 dinars.

Mosul: Coalition forces conducted 305 patrols, 81 of which were conducted jointly with Iraqi police. These patrols arrested four people for various crimes, including black market activities, larceny and shooting at Coalition forces. They also seized two AK-47 rifles.

Karbala: Coalition forces conducted one raid, which yielded three AK-47 rifles, five rocket-propelled grenade launchers, nine vehicles, three boats and $2,000 U.S. dollars.

Ad Diwaniyah: Coalition forces conducted seven joint patrols with Iraqi Police.

An Nasiriyah: Coalition forces conducted five joint patrols with Iraqi Police

Additionally, 345 Iraqi policemen graduated from a police training program established in An Najaf.