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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 29, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-106


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


COALITION AND IRAQI POLICE WORK TO MAKE IRAQ SECURE (May 29, 2003)

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol Iraq to eliminate crimes against people and property, rid populated areas of weapons, ammunition and explosives, and stop the black market trade in fuel and other commodities. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police in their efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.

Coalition Activity:

Iraqis with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades fired on a patrol from the 2d Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in Al Maqdidiyah yesterday. The patrol maneuvered around the attackers' firing position and ended up capturing a total of nine Iraqis. No U.S. soldiers were injured.

Marines are assisting the Karbala Police Department in refurbishing their jail facilities. They will help establish electrical power in the jail building, as well as improve cell locks and the water and sewage system. They are scheduled to complete the work in five to seven days.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) recently raided a site near Mosul based on a citizen's report of illegal arms possession. The soldiers confiscated two rocket-propelled grenade launchers and several hundred rounds of both heavy machine gun and small arms ammunition.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Coalition Forces conducted 8 raids and a total of 2,315 patrols throughout Iraq. Of those patrols, they conducted 226 joint Iraqi and Coalition patrols. They also detained or arrested 175 individuals.

Recent Police Activity:

Iraqi police manning a checkpoint in Baghdad recently stopped and confiscated a stolen and repainted Iraqi Army truck. That same day, those police manning the same checkpoint also stopped a variety of other vehicles and confiscated a total of 28 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, two crates of heavy machine gun ammunition, an Iranian-made anti-personnel mine and about 50 anti-tank rounds.

Soldiers from the 204th Military Police Company and Iraqi police conducted a joint patrol and discovered six rocket-propelled grenade rounds in a Baghdad neighborhood recently. They called an explosive ordnance disposal team to remove the ammunition.

Soldiers from the 204th Military Police Company on patrol with Iraqi police in Baghdad recently responded to a report by a civilian that somebody was shooting a rifle in a nearby apartment complex. They went to the complex, detained one man and confiscated an AK-47 with over 100 rounds of ammunition. They took the suspect to the Police Academy Jail, and the weapon and ammunition to a U.S. military weapons collection point.

A joint patrol of soldiers from the 549th Military Police Company and Iraqi police raided a house in Baghdad recently while serving an Iraqi Court warrant for house invasion. They arrested three suspects and confiscated a pistol and three hand grenades. The joint patrol took the suspects to the New Baghdad Police Station and the weapons and ammunition to a U.S. military weapons collection point.

Two individuals with AK-47s fired on Iraqi police who were on patrol in Baghdad recently. They reported the incident to soldiers with 527th Military Police Company, who went with them to the location where the individuals had fired their weapons and detained one man. The other suspect fled the area. Iraqi police continue to investigate the incident.

An Iraqi man in Baghdad recently reported that two men forcefully took his car. Soldiers from the 615th Military Police Company, Iraqi police and the victim went to the house of one of the suspects. They detained one man and confiscated an AK-47 rifle they found there. The suspect gave police the name of the second man after the joint patrol took him to the police station. The second suspect is still at large. Iraqi police continue to investigate this incident.

Soldiers from the 204th Military Police Company investigated gunfire they heard in a Baghdad neighborhood recently. They arrived to find a man throwing a handgun over a fence. They detained the man, searching the area behind the fence and found a 9 mm pistol. They determined the man was engaged in "celebratory" gunfire with no intent to harm anybody, and released him with a warning. They confiscated his pistol and gave him a receipt for it. They took the weapon and ammunition to a U.S. military weapons collection point.

An Iraqi citizen recently reported a shooting incident in which two armed men with AK-47 rifles entered a Baghdad house and got into a verbal altercation with two other men. The two armed men with rifles shot and killed both men and wounded three others who were also in the house. The armed men then fled. Iraqi police responded at the scene, rendered assistance to the wounded, and took all five victims to the hospital. One suspect later turned himself in at the Al Baya Police Station. Iraqi police continue to investigate the shooting.

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