| Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs |
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CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, May 11, 2007 — The addition of two brigades to Baghdad during the past several months has had a positive impact, according to the commanding general of Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
“It makes a huge difference, not only for our forces but for the Iraqi forces, as well,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., commander of MND-B and the 1st Cavalry Division. “It gives us the ability to provide a combined presence across the city.” Clearing operations set the stage for a permanent presence of coalition and Iraqi security forces. “There were areas before where, essentially, we didn’t have troops to provide to them,” Fil said. “While we’re not in every single neighborhood and on every single street corner, we are in every single security district with enough force to make a difference.” Clearing operations in West Rashid began last week by Iraqi security forces and elements of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division based out of Fort Lewis, Wash., and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kan. The operation under way in the Rashid District has been dubbed Operation Dragon Fire West. It kicked off May 2, and netted 22 detainees and 11 caches in the first four days of the operation. In addition, there were 28 combined operations, at company level or higher, conducted in and around Baghdad from April 29 through May 6. In these combined ventures with Iraqi security forces, 47 caches were seized, an increase of 10 from the preceding week. Among the weapons and ammunition taken off the streets were 113 mortar rounds, 35 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 58 AK-47 assault rifles and more than 6,000 rounds of small arms ammunition. Besides seizing weapons and ammunition, the security operations have netted 123 insurgent suspects. |
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| “Many of the suspects are picked up during targeted operations, thanks to tips from the local populace,” said Maj. Kirk Luedeke, spokesman and public affairs officer for the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. “The key to continuing success is the permanent presence of security forces in Baghdad neighborhoods – both Iraqi and coalition, patrolling the city’s streets.” Iraqi security forces and soldiers from the Multi-National Division-Baghdad surpassed the quarter-million-mark for total security patrols in and around Baghdad since Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon began in the Iraqi capital, in mid-February. More than 264,000 security patrols have been conducted thus far. Deliberate efforts to target bomb-making cells have been a priority for MND-B, with a focus on dismantling the networks that produce them. Several cell leaders have been recently detained, believed responsible for deadly explosively-formed projectile bomb attacks. The daily presence of security forces on Baghdad streets continues to show results, Fil said. “I think we’re making good progress,” he said. “Are we as far as we want to be? I would always want to go farther and faster, but we’re on track.”
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FR WAR NEWS!