Coalition Forces and Iraqi Army Soldiers detained nine individuals and killed one enemy combatant during a joint operation in Abu Tamur Jan. 3. One of the detainees is a known al-Qaeda in Iraq operative wanted by the Iraqi Army for stealing weapons. Soldiers of Company B and Company C, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., were clearing the village when they were engaged with small arms fire by enemy forces. One U.S. Soldier was wounded. The troops returned fire, killing one enemy combatant. The wounded Soldier was air-evacuated to Balad for medical treatment.
Five Iraqi Army Soldiers were killed and two wounded when a house-born improvised explosive device exploded in the house they were clearing. The wounded Iraqi Soldiers were taken to Forward Operating Base Warhorse.
A cache was found in the area containing four AK-47s, six AK-47 magazines, a PKC, PKC drum and PKC ammo belt. “AQI presence (in) this area was confirmed, and I believe it validates our assessment that (the village) was an AQI safe haven from which they planned attacks,” said Lt. Col. Ricardo Love, 1-38th commander. “I believe this operation will positively impact peace and security in the area.”