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NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
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Release Number: 03-11-48
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TF “ALL AMERICAN” OPERATIONS CAPTURE ENEMY PERSONNEL, IEDs
AR RAMADI, Iraq - Task Force “All American” continued to conduct operations in order to bring peace to Iraq and to assist the reconstruction efforts. These missions continue to move Iraq toward becoming a free and independent nation.
During the past 24 hours, the 82nd Airborne Division and subordinate units conducted three offensive operations, including two raids and one cordon and search. Soldiers also conducted 206 patrols, including eleven joint patrols with the Iraqi Border Guards and Iraqi police. In addition, three improvised explosive devices were discovered and disarmed. During these operations, 17 enemy personnel were captured and there were no coalition casualties.
In 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division’s area of operation, elements of Task Force 1-32 conducted a raid to capture Sheik Taha Kitar in Haswah. The sheik was inciting anti-coalition activities in students near Haswah and Iskandariyah and is suspected of financing anti-coalition cells. The raid integrated the Iraqi police and was conducted without incident. Four personnel were captured including the primary target and they were taken into coalition custody for questioning.
Early this morning in the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division’s area of operations, a raid was conducted that resulted in the apprehension of Brig. Gen. Khalid Arak Hatimy. Hatimy is a former first-line bodyguard of Saddam Hussein and was actively providing cash and weapons to the Mujahadeen. Hatimy also maintains close ties with personnel along the Syrian border and has used those contacts to facilitate the shipment of weapons into Iraq. The operation was conducted without incident and 3 other individuals associated with Brig. Gen. Khalid Arak Hatimy were captured. Weapons, documents, and other contraband were confiscated in the raid.
Along the Syrian, Jordanian and Saudi Arabian borders, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment refused entry into Iraq to 18 personnel because they lacked passports or proper documentation. The Regiment continued Operation Rifles Blitz capturing four enemy personnel and confiscating over 100 small arms weapons. The local Iraqi police and members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps continue to work closely with U.S. soldiers during this operation.
Civil affairs personnel supporting the operation continue to receive positive responses and cooperation from the local citizens. The Civil Affairs Teams provided compensation to all homeowners whose lives were disrupted by the operations. This has resulted in a marked improvement in local relations.
3rd Brigade Civil Affairs Teams worked with local leaders to complete renovations to three municipal hospitals in Iskandariyah. The Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) funded projects were completed at a cost of $23,000 and will positively affect an estimated 200,000 residents.
Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division, and 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment remain committed to rebuilding Iraq and ending violence in the Al Anbar province.