Iraq News

Iraqi and Coalition Forces detain nine suspects in combined mission; murder victim discovered

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division detained nine individuals suspected of making improvised explosive devices Jan. 15.

Elements of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, the Hamiyah Police Department and 1-67 AR combined forces to cordon off a region near Musayib to search for known terrorists.

The units worked together, moving from house to house to detain those suspected of terrorist activity in the area. Eight suspects are being held for questioning by Coalition Forces. One was identified as a known terrorist and remains in ISF custody.

The 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment found the dead body of a male Iraqi Jan. 15 in Al Hillah.

The Al Hillah Police transported the body to the hospital morgue and are attempting to identify it with their missing-persons list. The body was found with his hands tied behind his back, blind-folded and shot in the head.

Both incidents are currently under investigation.

RAWAH, Iraq- Staff Sgt. Daniel Fields, from 2d Platoon, Bravo Company, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, checks the identification of an Iraqi national. 2d Marine Division is deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to conduct counter-insurgency operations to isolate and neutralize anti-Iraqi forces; support the continued development of Iraqi Security Force; support Iraqi reconstruction and democratic elections; and to facilitate the creation of a secure environment that enables Iraqi self-reliance and self-governance. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shane S. Keller, 2d Marine Division Combat Camera) (Released)

Citizens lead security forces to drive-by suspect

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi civilians in Mosul led Iraqi police and a patrol from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team to the house of an anti-Iraqi forces man wanted for a drive-by shooting Jan. 15.

Iraqi police reported that a vehicle approached them and began to fire at the policemen with an automatic rifle.

The car sped away and the police were unable to catch up to it, before it was lost in dense traffic. Many of the citizens who witnessed the event gave information concerning the direction the vehicle traveled.

The Soldiers responded to help the police, as they continued to follow tip after tip until the final one led them directly into the suspect’s yard.

The troops cordoned the area around the house as the police did a search of the residence that turned up the car involved with the shooting as well as the man responsible.

Recent tips from Iraqi civilians have led to the discovery of many suspected terrorists and weapons caches and have shown the increased trust and confidence in the security forces around northern Iraq.

Arms cache discovered near Barwanah

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – An Iraqi Army and U.S. Marine patrol operating on the outskirts of Barwanah discovered a cache Jan. 14.

Iraqi Army soldiers and U.S. Marines with 2nd Platoon, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment made their discovery late in the afternoon Jan. 14 and soon realized the cache site was too large to uncover that day. They secured the site overnight and resumed excavation early the morning of Jan. 15.

The cache was first noticed by the Marines' translator, who accompanies them on patrols with their Iraqi Army counterparts. After the initial site was found, 10 additional hastily buried caches were discovered.

When all 11 caches were uncovered, they contained 137 artillery rounds of various sizes, 56 mortar rounds of various sizes, 47 122mm rockets, 14.5mm armor piercing incendiary rounds, and 1,900 pounds of propellant.

The Iraqi soldiers and U.S. Marines labored to collect up the munitions so they could be safely detonated. In all, 4,000 pounds of high explosives were detonated by the explosive ordnance disposal team.

** Put on a small update on the sidebar - a pic of our local libelist MP, Paul Flynn. Now I have done a few bits about him and the court case which he lost. The basic aim I have is that the voters of my home city deserve much better than Mr Flynn.

You would think that having been found guilty he would then resign from the post of MP, but in typical bullish style he carries on regardless - in a sort of David Blunkett/Ruth Kelly way. Had Mr Flynn worked in any other profession you can bet that after the libel case his employers would most likely have either fired him asap or requested he jump before they do so.

Yet as an MP he somehow manages to hang on limpet style to all the perks and privilages that this highly esteemed job provides. I believe that as his word has been brought into question over this he should go forthwith.

http://newportcity.blogspot.com/2006/01/some-bits-on-jessica-morden-mp.html
http://newportcity.blogspot.com/2005/12/paul-flynn-convicted-of-libel-still.html
http://newportcity.blogspot.com/2005/11/paul-flynn-pays-out-36000.html

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