Intelligence discoveries paint picture of enemy in Fallujah

Intelligence discoveries paint picture of enemy in Fallujah
Submitted by: 1st Marine Division
Story Identification Number: 20044165945
Story by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

FALLUJAH, Iraq (April 14, 2004) -- Marines operating in Fallujah are gaining a clearer picture of the enemy they face. Intelligence gathered from enemy dead, daily patrols and documents is proving links between terrorists and former regime elements loyal to deposed dictator Saddam Hussein.

Marines of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division remain at the ready in the city. The cordon of Fallujah is still in effect. Fighting between Marines and terrorist forces has simmered during the unilateral suspension of offensive operations. Still, occasional firefights are heard and Marines continue to refine their picture of who the enemy is.

"What we've discovered on the northern end of town are still people seemingly loyal to Saddam," said 1st Lt. Edward M. Solis, who has led numerous foot-patrols leading to the discovery of enemy intelligence.

Solis is the platoon commander of 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

Some homes that Solis' Marines swept had pictures of Saddam hanging on their walls, telling the Marines some locals still had some reverence for the fallen dictator.

"If we suspect a family to be pro-Saddam, still latching onto the Ba'athist Party, and you find out they're former military, you realize what assets these insurgents have," Solis explained.

Marines with 1st Platoon also recovered useful documents such as identification cards, birth certificates and countless pictures of Iraq's former dictator. Each piece of information allowed a "connect-the-dots" map of what kind of enemy the Marines are facing.

"The 'intel' we've found were former military, friends of Saddam that participated in functions standard in this area, and a network of who's involved in terrorist and criminal attacks," Solis said.

Some of the intelligence has come from searching bodies of dead enemy fighters.

"When we walked up to a body of an insurgent shot the other day," Solis said "He had paperwork indicating he was a former military mortarman, which tells us he might be bringing the mortar capabilities to the enemy. He also had an AK-47 and binoculars."

The intelligence discoveries are evidence to Marines on the line that they are continually gaining ground against the enemy. Sgt. Jeremy Miller, a squad leader with 1st Platoon, said the motivation of the platoon has been at an all-time high.

"They're excited about doing what they got to do," Miller said. "The Marines can march through Fallujah from one side to the other, and keep pushing. Morale is very high."

"If the enemy only knew of the will of our Marines they would've given up by now,"
Solis added.

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Photos included with story:

	1st Lt. Edward M. Solis, platoon commander of 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division finds a portrait of Saddam Hussein, which was cut out from a school text book and pasted inside a dresser. Solis and his men cleared abandoned buildings of terrorists as they made their way to a new location during a suspension of offensive operations in Fallujah. (USMC photo by Sg.t Jose E. Guillen) Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

	Eager to return to their homes, a family retrieves food and supplies while Marine of 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division provide security. The 1st Marine Division Marines are advising locals to find temporary living quarters until hostile tensions simmer down in Fallujah. Marines in Fallujah suspended offensive operations as talks of negotiations between the mayor of Fallujah and enemy forces continue. (USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen) Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

	Marines from 2nd Squad, 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, begin their routine inspection for insurgents and improvised explosive devices as they make their way to a new location during a cease fire status April 11, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. The 1st Marine Division forces are holding the cordon in Fallujah while diplomatic afforts search for a peaceful solution to ridding the city of terrorists. (USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen) Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

	Infantrymen of 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division clear an abandon home of insurgents and improvised explosive devices as they make their way to a new location during a suspension of offensive operations in Fallujah. (USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen) Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

	A terrorist's body lies dead on a sidewalk after a brief firefight with U.S. Marines as 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division make their way into Fallujah, Iraq. Marines are observing a suspension of offensive operations, but maintain the right to defend themselves against attack. (USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen) Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

	Eager to return to their homes, a family retrieves food and supplies while Marines of 1st Platoon, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division provide security and advises them to find temporary living quarters until hostile tensions simmer down in Fallujah, Iraq. "They don't care of gun shots, they want to live in their homes because they feel safe Americans here," said Peshi, an interperter attached to Company E. (USMC photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen) Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

	A U.S. Marine Corps sniper with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, keeps an unwaivering eye with his high-powerd scope inside Fallujah, Iraq. While offensive operations are suspended, Marines remain vigilant throughout the city. Photo by: Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

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