'Operation Restoring Rights' to secure Tal Afar

ARNEWS ^ | Sep 13, 2005 | unattributed

[SandRat]

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, Sept. 13, 2005) – At least 119 suspected terrorists have been detained since Sept. 10 by Iraqi security forces and Coalition troops in northern Iraq as they continue operations to purge insurgents from the city of Tal Afar, about 30 miles west of Mosul.

In a cordon and search Sept. 10, Coalition forces detained 41 individuals suspected of terrorist activity, officials said. Security forces also seized a mortar system with multiple rounds of ammunition and a cache consisting of hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

“Operation Restoring Rights is being conducted to remove terrorists and foreign fighters operating in Tal Afar,” said Col. Billy J. Buckner, spokesman for Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

“This operation is in support of the Iraqi government’s efforts to bring safety and security to the citizens of the city,” Buckner said. “The local government requested Coalition assistance in setting the conditions needed to establish permanent Iraqi security for the people of Tal Afar that will allow them to vote in upcoming elections.”

Task Force Freedom detained 78 more suspected terrorists during operations in Tal Afar Sept. 12 as Operation Restoring Rights continued.

Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment detained 57 individuals suspected of terrorist activity during two operations.

Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 3rd ACR detained 15 terror suspects during a cordon and search operation.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment detained four suspected terrorists.

Soldiers from 3rd ACR also detained two individuals suspected of terrorist activity while patrolling. The suspects are in custody with no Multi-National Force injuries reported

Since Aug. 26, Iraqi and Coalition Forces have captured 211 terror suspects, killed 141 terrorists and confiscated nine weapons caches, MNC-I reported.

(Editor’s note: Information provided by two press releases from the Multi-National Force-Iraq Combined Press Information Center.)