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Good News From Iraq

Release No. 20060820-02

Release No. 20060820-03
Iraqi army soldiers rescue kidnapped women, arrest kidnappers
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 6th Iraqi Army Division rescued a kidnapped woman from a house in Karkh at approximately 4 p.m. Saturday.

A woman who claimed she had been kidnapped entered their office and led the soldiers to a house nearby, where she said another kidnapped woman was inside.

The soldiers raided the house and found the other woman and two kidnappers.

Soldiers arrested the kidnappers and the women were released unharmed.

Release No. 20060820-01
MND-B Soldiers help citizens of southwest Baghdad
BAGHDAD –
Soldiers from Company B, 47th Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, delivered five tons of humanitarian-assistance supplies to the Neighborhood Advisory Council building in the southwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Ameriyah Tuesday.

The Soldiers of 1st Armored Division have been performing operations in this southwest section of Baghdad since Aug. 13. Vehicle traffic has been temporarily halted, and the area was closed off so 6,000 buildings could be searched for weapons and terrorist suspects.

Another key area during the operation is helping provide for the needs of the local residents.

“The supplies are meant to aid families displaced by sectarian violence in Baghdad,” said Capt. Stacy Bear, Company A, 412th Civil Affairs Battalion, attached to the 2nd BCT. The Neighborhood Advisory Committee in Ameriyah, a local leaders group for the area, estimate that 500 families in the area have arrived from other places in Baghdad with little more than the possessions they could carry. Many local residents have accepted the displaced people into their homes and neighborhoods and voiced concern about getting the necessary items to help sustain them until they are able to return to their homes.

The supplies the NAC will be distributing include canned meats, dried pasta, rice, flour, baby food, cheese, instant milk, blankets and large bags of dried peas and beans. Blankets, pots, and kitchen utensils were also available.

“It’s good to help out the Iraqi people this way, delivering food and supplies to the (Neighborhood Advisory Council) so they can distribute it to those who need it.” said Capt. Franklin Scherra, commander, HHC, 2nd BCT, 1st AD.

It was hard work for Soldiers unloading the supplies in 115 degree heat, but Soldiers said the cause was worthwhile to the members of HHC, 2nd Brigade.

“It’s a lot of work to unload everything, but it’s a great thing to do for the Iraqi people.” said Spc. Timothy O’Connor, a unit supply specialist with HHC, 2nd BCT.

Iraqi, Coalition leaders discuss Operation Together Forward
BAGHDAD –
Brig. Gen. Abdul Jaleel Kahlaiaf, commander, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, along with Col. Robert Scurlock Jr., commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, discussed operations in support of Operation Together Forward in the southwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Ameriyah Wednesday.

Operation Together Forward began Sunday for the brigade and continues to improve the lives of Iraqis in the Baghdad area.

Jaleel said he was optimistic of the recent successes of the Iraqi army in Baghdad resulting in the reduction of violence.

“Together, we have reduced the number of acts of terrorism which … is a victory for all Iraqi people,” said Jaleel, through an interpreter.

He also emphasized the importance of the Iraqi citizens working together with Coalition Forces to bring those responsible for violence to justice because the operation is “symbolic in Iraq’s fight against terrorism.”

Scurlock emphasized the importance of the combined partnership with the 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.

“As a result of the increased violence in Iraq,” he said, “the government of Iraq requested additional forces to come to Baghdad to help stem the violence … we’ve had the honor to work with the 1st brigade, 6th Division, as well as the 3rd Brigade, 6th Division.”

Iraqi and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers searched every building in Ameriyah, totaling about 6,000 structures, with the focus on clearing the area of weapons and interacting with the local population.

Operation Together Forward also served to clean the debris and trash, and to demonstrate to the people of Ameriyah that they can have a better life.

“Additionally,” said Col. Scurlock, “we took surveys, did a census, registered weapons and registered cars.”

The combined forces are working closely with the citizens of Ameriyah and local government officials to identify and resource local needs and set conditions for future growth.

“With unity and security, (the people of Ameriyah) can have prosperity,” added Scurlock.

With ISF vigilance, pilgrims gather in peace

Monday, 21 August 2006
By Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

Iraqi police provide security in a section of Kadhimiyah, Iraq, on March 29, 2005. Department of Defense photo by Air Force Senior Airman Lapedra P. Tolson.
Iraqi police provide security in a section of Kadhimiyah, Iraq, on March 29, 2005. Department of Defense photo by Air Force Senior Airman Lapedra P. Tolson.
BAGHDAD — Under the watchful eye of the Iraqi Police and Army, over a million Shiite pilgrims gathered in peace over the weekend in Baghdad’s Kadhimiyah neighborhood to commemorate the death of the 7th Imam.

The event, in which the faithful visit the al-Kadhimiyah Shrine of Imam Musa al-Kadhim, was sheltered from much of the violence that has plagued other religious celebrations in recent years.

Security for the occasion was organized, led and executed by Iraqi security forces comprising the Iraqi National Police, Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army, who worked together to safeguard the travelers. A comprehensive security plan drafted by the Iraqi civil and military leaders proved effective in preventing a recurrence of the large-scale violence of last year’s gathering, in which more than 900 Iraqis were killed in a stampede.

Iraqi police speak with pedestrians while providing security in Kadhimiyah. Department of Defense photo by Army Staff Sgt. Kyle Davis.
Iraqi police speak with pedestrians while providing security in Kadhimiyah. Department of Defense photo by Army Staff Sgt. Kyle Davis.
While incidents occurred in the Adamiyah and Shaab neighborhoods, casualties appeared minimal, pending a final assessment by the Iraqi government.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Police from the 2nd National Police Division killed a terrorist and detained two after they fired upon the pilgrims.

“The ISF did a good job containing the violence and protecting the people,” said Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, Multi-National Division – Baghdad commander. “These acts against innocent civilians are deplorable, but Iraqi Security Forces did an excellent job in preventing more needless loss of innocent civilian lives.”

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