BAGHDAD — Elements of the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division entered the Abu Hanifa Mosque in the eastern Adhamiyah neighorhood of the Iraqi capital in an early morning operation and detained 12 individuals, including two known terrorists who were using the mosque as a base.The captured terrorists are suspected of improvised explosive device emplacement, kidnapping, murder of Iraqi civilians and attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces throughout Baghdad. They are also known to have links with al-Qaeda, said Capt. Phillip Dow, a staff officer with the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, the U.S. unit responsible for security in the area.
The operation was a result of tips received from local citizens. After concerned residents relayed the information that the terrorists were inside the mosque, the Iraqi Army moved in, backed by U.S. Soldiers from the 3-7 Cav., 2nd BCT, 82 Abn Div., who secured the perimeter.
After requesting proper permission to enter the mosque compound, the Iraqi Army element came under fire inside the building and had to return fire, wounding one of the insurgents. Iraqi Army troops pursued the attackers throughout the mosque compound, eventually detaining the 12 insurgents.
U. S. Soldiers who were securing the outer cordon also came under smallarms fire and grenade attacks during the operation, but suffered no injuries.
Lt. Col. Jeff Broadwater, commander of the 3-7 Cav, 2nd BCT, 82 Abn Div., said he and Col. Adel, commander of the 1/1/11 IA Battalion, considered all tactical options before requesting permission to conduct the operation because of the religious significance of the mosque.