Good News From Iraq

Iraqi Forces Capture Insurgent In Baghdad

BALAD – Iraqi security forces conducted a raid in Baghdad on July 18, capturing one of four primary targets, an insurgent cell member.

The Iraqi forces, together with coalition force advisers, raided an objective in the Al Rasheed district of southwest Baghdad and captured an insurgent cell member suspected of conducting rocket attacks against and killing coalition forces and torturing hostages.

No other individuals were captured during this operation.

Iraqi forces also seized one AK-47 assault rifle.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during the operation.

Iraqi Forces capture insurgents in two Baghdad operations

BALAD – Iraqi security forces, assisted by coalition force advisers, conducted two operations in Baghdad July 17 and captured seven insurgents involved in ‘extra judicial killing’ cells.

During the first operation near Abu Gharib, Iraqi forces captured two key insurgents who were believed to be involved in several kidnappings, mostly focusing on Iraqi citizens working for coalition forces. Their activities also involved weapons dealing and facilitating foreign fighters in Iraq. One other person of interest was also detained.

During the second operation near Al Gazaliah, Iraqi forces captured four insurgents also believed to be involved in kidnapping and ‘death squads’ in the Baghdad area. In this operation, Iraqi forces also seized two AK-47 assault rifles and two nine millimeter pistols.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during this operation.

Iraqi Forces capture a ‘Most Wanted’ insurgent leader in Diwaniyah

BALAD – Iraqi security forces, while conducting a routine presence patrol at a checkpoint near Diwaniyah July 16, captured a ‘most wanted’ insurgent leader at an Iraqi Police checkpoint without incident.

Iraqi forces received an anonymous tip that the individual, a local sheikh, was on his way toward the checkpoint, and they were on hand to detain him as he waited to pass through.

The sheikh, who tops local police’s ‘most wanted’ list is believed to be in charge of several assassination cells in the Diwaniyah area. He also is alleged to be involved in other insurgent operations and activities throughout Qadisiyah Province.

Two other individuals traveling with the sheikh also were detained; they were released a short while later.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during this operation.

Iraqi, MND-B Soldiers uncover weapons cache

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Iraqi soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, and Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, unearthed a weapons cache at approximately 2 a.m. today.

The Soldiers were conducting a search of an area that had previously yielded a weapons cache when they located a new cache of weapons, containing 24 bayonets, an RPK machine gun, a G-3 assault rifle, five hand grenades, two 30mm rounds, 300 7.62mm rounds, 200 rounds of assorted ammunition, four parachute flares, a mortar site, assorted military gear and 55,000 Iraqi Dinar.

US FORCES BUILD SCHOOL FOR 800
KARABILAH - Thanks to the work of Marines and Iraqi security forces, 800 elementary-aged girls will now have a school to attend this fall.

Marines from 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment unveiled a brand-new grade school in this city of about 30,000 on the Iraq-Syria border in western al-Anbar province on July 7.

About one week before its ribbon cutting, insurgents planted an improvised explosive device inside the school that would have leveled a good portion of the building, destroying nearly three months of work by Marines and locals, said Gunnery Sgt. Joseph S. Mallicoat, team leader for the civil affairs team here.

"The bomb had the potential of taking down both wings of the building and the school would have been unable to open by September," said Capt. Rick Bernier, commanding officer of Company C - the Marines responsible for providing security alongside Iraqis in this city.

The Marines discovered the bomb and secured the building leaving Iraqi security forces to provide 24-hour security. The bomb was later disarmed.

Local tribal leaders and sheikhs attended the school's grand opening and expressed thanks to the Marines of 3rd Civil Affairs Group, who obtained the necessary manpower to reconstruct the building.

Civil Affairs teams oversee funding for a variety of reconstruction projects in the region which bolster Iraqis' quality of life while improving the economy, said Lt. Col. Larry L. White, the civil military operations center director for the Al Qa'im region.

The team spent nearly two years finding a contractor to complete the project. The school was destroyed in 2003 during heavy fighting between Marines and insurgents, according to Mallicoat, 33, from Vancouver, Wash.

"I want to thank the Coalition forces on behalf of all of the people of Karabilah for finishing the school very fast and for supporting the construction of a fine place," said Mohammed Ahmed Selah, mayor of Karabilah.

The mayor and the Marines agree that the school's neighborhood is relatively safe, although there is still the threat of IEDs, according to Bernier.

"The bomb was a last ditch effort by insurgents to destroy the progress we've made in this area," said Bernier.
Since arriving here four months ago, the Marines have seen a decrease in enemy activity. The Marines have also introduced the city to their new police force and have begun conducting security operations alongside policemen.
The Marines say local Iraqi security forces have made significant progress in the past few months by providing security and conducting several independent operations.

"We are capturing more of the bad guys with a higher level of expertise in IED-making and that leaves a lot of insurgents with minimal experience in making the bombs," said Bernier. "One guy blew himself up last week trying to plant an IED."
Tribal sheikhs expressed pride in the region's new police forces during a visit by al-Anbar provinces' governor to Husaybah last week. Gov. Maamoon Sami Rasheed al-Awani, echoed their sentiments.

"The security in this region has changed for the better," Awani said. "Without the work the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police are doing here, we would not be able to move forward with construction projects."

The city of Karabilah opened their first police station last month after a three-year hiatus of policemen. More Iraqis are coming forward to join local police forces.

Of the 400 Iraqi males who showed up during a police recruiting drive last week in al-Qa'im, more than 100 were accepted for police boot camp - the largest turnout yet.

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