Posted on 02/17/2007 3:28:57 PM PST by SandRat
CAMP LIBERTY — The Iraqi Security Force and Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers began clearing operations in the Shaab and Ur neighborhoods of the Adhamiyah security district Wednesday. “We’re conducting detailed searches in areas that are known, or suspected to harbor terrorists,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. “All areas will get thorough assessments – patrol down every street, talk to every shop owner and engage the populations at every opportunity to get atmospherics of the area.”
Soldiers from the 3rd SBCT and elements from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Infantry Division are working closely with the Iraqi Security Force to clear these designated areas in order to better secure this section of Baghdad. They are also working to significantly reduce sectarian violence and diminish tensions through engagement of political, security forces, tribal and religious leaders.
As troops in this joint effort conducted continuous searches, senior officers from the 3rd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division met simultaneously with neighborhood advisory council members, sheiks and civic leaders to further explain the search operations of the security plan and garner their support for continued security improvements in the area.
Current clearing operations searched more than 3,000 structures resulting in five suspected terrorists detained, numerous pistols, rifles, AK-47s and more than 2,900 small arms fire munitions recovered.
Earlier operations in the area this month focused solely on conducting targeted raids to help transition control of this security district to the 82nd Airborne Division’s ‘Falcon Brigade’ and Iraqi security forces, as well as set the stage for the current clearing operations. The conclusion of these targeted raids helped set the stage for quickly establishing combat outposts and joint security stations aimed at increasing the overall security of the neighborhoods.
These previous raids resulted in 23 detainees and multiple caches found, yielding numerous smalls arms, munitions and confiscation of anti-Iraqi propaganda.
As of this report, clearing operations continue in the Adhamiyah security district.
(Courtesy of Multi-National Division - Baghdad)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.