I find it odd that this would merit an MNF press release - is it news that Saddam is still dead? I also find it unusual that we hear of SF operating alone, rather than as advisors to Iraqi units. There's a message being sent in this piece. BALAD, Iraq – U.S. Special Forces soldiers detained seven suspected insurgents and killed four during a reconnaissance patrol in the Jazeera Desert, approximately 237 miles north of Baghdad, May 1.
Approximately?
U.S. SF soldiers conducted a patrol to identify enemy safe havens and weapons caches in an area where insurgents have been known to conduct operations.
During the patrol, U.S. SF soldiers came under small-arms fire and returned fire killing two armed individuals near the village of Lazaga. As U.S. SF soldiers cleared a building in the village, they found two men holding hand grenades. Both men were shot and killed after displaying hostile intent. A further search of the village led to the detention of seven suspected insurgents.
This patrol is one of several recent operations in the Jazeera Desert to disrupt insurgent activity in the area. “The detention of these seven individuals will also improve the security situation and help reduce attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces,” said Col. Bill Buckner, Multi-National Corps – Iraq spokesman.