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| Iraq |
| Operation "Iron Blitz" captures 25 insurgents in June |
| 2007-07-05 |
| Over the past 30 days, Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers captured 25 suspected insurgents during Operation “Iron Blitz” northwest of the Iraqi capital. The suspects, many believed to be tied to insurgent cells responsible for the emplacement of improvised explosive devices, sectarian violence and indirect fire attacks, were captured by Soldiers of the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “These (terrorists) were targeting not only Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces, they were targeting the Iraqi people to escalate sectarian tensions in the area,” said Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, deputy commander of the Ironhorse Brigade. “The capture of these individuals has lead to a significant decrease in insurgent activity in our area.” The Ironhorse Brigade was able to target insurgents successfully in northwestern Baghdad neighborhoods thanks to an influx of support, in the form of tips, from the local community, Andrysiak said. “The volunteers who have recently stepped forward to provide security in their own neighborhoods provided much of the information used to capture these individuals,” he said. A grassroots effort by tribal leaders in Abu Ghraib, Taji, and Saab al Bor areas, to reject Al Qaeda and work to reconcile with the government of Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces and the Coalition, is aimed at putting an end to sectarian violence in those communities. With 25 suspected insurgents captured in June, Andrysiak said communities in northwest Baghdad are headed in the right direction. “By bringing these individuals to justice, we have seen a decrease in the violence in our area,” Andrysiak added. “With the help of the volunteers, we are optimistic the violence will not return.” |
| Posted by:Fred |