U.S., Iraqi Forces Continue to Root Out Insurgents

Armed Forces Information Service ^ | 14 November 2004 | Armed Forces Press Service

[Racehorse]

U.S., Iraqi Forces Continue to Root Out Insurgents

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2004 – Anti-Iraqi forces attacked 1st Infantry Division soldiers with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades today in Tikrit, Iraq.

After cornering the anti-Iraqi forces in a building, the soldiers countered the attack with tank rounds and hellfire missiles. No Multinational Force casualties or equipment damage was reported, according to Multinational Force Iraq officials.

Also, one Multinational Force soldier was killed and three wounded when insurgents attacked a military base outside Baghdad with indirect fire Nov. 13. No other official details were immediately available.

Officials added that operations continue today to root out remaining pockets of anti-Iraqi force resistance and return stability to northern Iraq.

Multinational forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), are spearheading the push to stabilize the situation in Mosul.

Officials said, three days ago, a number of groups of anti-Iraqi forces and insurgents ranging in size from 15 to 50 moved through Mosul attacking police stations, Iraqi government facilities and other fixed sites.

The fighting was intense, but Iraqi National Guardsmen and multinational forces defeated many insurgents. Sporadic fighting followed on Nov. 12 and Nov. 13, but multinational forces have not withdrawn from Mosul.

"The local Iraqi government, led by Gov. Duraid Kashmoula, is clearly in control of the city, despite reports saying differently," a spokesman said.

In a Nov. 13 interview with Arab satellite channel Alhurra, Army Brig. Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander, Task Force Olympia, said the situation is improving as Iraqi police return to work and the Iraqi National Guard remain strong conducting operations in the area.

No injuries were reported to multinational forces during operations to root out the small remaining pockets of resistance in Mosul, officials said. Forces conducted a cordon and search in central Mosul and detained insurgents wanted for planning and conducting attacks against Iraqi security and multinational forces in that city.

During cordon-and-search operations in the west Mosul marketplace of al Maash, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, detained three terrorists wanted for planning and conducting anti-Iraqi activities during cordon and search operations in the west Mosul marketplace of Al Maash. The suspects are in custody with no injuries reported during the operation.

Soldiers from the 276th Engineer Battalion quickly returned fire and eliminated the threat when insurgents attacked while the soldiers were guarding a southern bridge in Mosul. The insurgents attacked the soldiers with small arms and RPG fire from a nearby building on the West Bank of the Tigris River.

One soldier was wounded and later returned to duty.

No U.S. or Iraqi National Guard soldiers were injured when they were attacked with small-arms fire in the neighborhood of Al Thubat. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, and the Iraqi Guard maneuvered in the direction of contact eliminating the threat, officials said.

"Comparisons made between Fallujah and Mosul are inaccurate," officials noted. "Iraqi security forces and multinational forces move in and out of every neighborhood in Mosul. Only a small number of terrorists are operating in the city of over 2 million and resistance is sporadic."

Near Baqubah, a Task Force Danger patrol was hit by an IED attack Nov. 13. Soldiers stormed a home and detained one individual. There, they found several weapons when they searched the house, which was near the attack site. They confiscated two AK-47 assault rifles, four rocket-propelled grenade sights and one explosive.

Meanwhile, officials familiar with Fallujah operations indicate that Multinational Force troops now occupy the whole city, according to civilian news reports. U.S. casualty estimates range anywhere from 22 to 31, with more than 1,200 insurgents killed.

Related Sites:
Multinational Force Iraq
1st Infantry Division
25th Infantry Division

[Texas4ever]

Is that all you got? ha ha Is that all you got?

Here comes the BOOM. Here comes the BOOM!

Here comes the boys from the South....

HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW (POD)

[McGavin999]

I honestly think the terrorists thought they could just move to another site and set up shop and it would be business as usual. I do believe we are disabusing them of that notion.