Posted on 06/16/2006 4:17:40 PM PDT by SandRat
BAGHDAD (June 16, 2006) – A week after the death of al-Qaida in Iraq leader Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, Iraqi security forces, with the support of the Coalition, have beefed up operations aimed at improving security throughout Iraq.
In fact, on June 14, only a week after Al-Zarqawi was eliminated, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki announced a new plan to improve security conditions in Baghdad.
During his address, the prime minister emphasized that Iraq’s new constitutionally based, representative government is in charge and providing security. He further noted that he will ensure that Iraq’s security forces are professional, impartial, and continue to increase their presence in Baghdad by taking the lead in protecting all Iraqis.
Simultaneously, the newly elected Iraqi Ministers of Interior and Defense began executing the prime minister’s plan to secure Baghdad with the Ministry of Interior in the lead and the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces in support.
Operation Together Forward, or in Arabic – Amaliya Ma’an ila Al-Amam – consists of increased checkpoints, a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and weapons law enforcement. Raids against terrorist cells will also be conducted.
“The plan has two objectives. First, humanitarian aid, and second, to provide security,” said Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki during a press conference June 14.
As part of Amaliya Ma’an ila Al-Amam, Iraqi Police and Security Forces, supported by Coalition Forces, will increase patrols and checkpoints in all areas of Baghdad.
“All neighborhoods in Baghdad are equal as far as citizens and their rights are concerned,” said Maliki. “We will confront the cells of terrorism everywhere. We don’t have any sectarian agendas.”
Commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq Gen. George Casey said, “We fully support this government and the people of Iraq in their quest for a secure, unified and prosperous nation. Amaliya Ma’an ila Al-Amam is the logical step for Coalition and Iraqi Forces to stand together and stamp out the kidnappings and murders we believe are largely conducted by illegal armed groups.”
Maliki noted that current security operations are increasingly successful in combating violence and lawlessness, and that because of the untiring efforts of Iraqi Security Forces, supported by the Coalition, all citizens of Baghdad will enjoy significant increases in security. He said that Iraqi citizens from all walks of life are helping secure their own neighborhoods by providing security forces with information necessary to root out lawlessness and evildoers.
A day after the prime minister announced the new security plan in Baghdad, Iraqi Security Forces conducted an early morning ground assault raid in Karbala and captured a high-ranking terrorist network commander without firing a shot.
During the June 15 raid, Iraqi Army Soldiers, assisted by Coalition advisers, captured Sheik Aqeel. Aqeel commands a Karbala terrorist network and is wanted for assassinating Iraqi citizens and planning and ordering attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. The terrorist network commander provided financial support to subordinate leaders and supplies them with improvised explosive devices.
The IEDs supplied by Aqeel are linked to the deaths of at least six Coalition Soldiers in 2005 and the deaths of a Coalition Soldier and an interpreter on June 8.
Aqeel is also linked to a 2005 attack on the al-Mukhayim Iraqi Police station and the killing of Iraqi intelligence officers in Karbala.
Iraqi forces captured one other terrorist during the raid and seized a substantial weapons cache.
No Iraqi or Coalition forces were killed or wounded during this operation.
In other news, while conducting combined curfew enforcement June 13 in East Baghdad, Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad spotted two vehicles carrying suspected kidnappers and seven kidnapping victims.
During a search of the suspected kidnappers, Soldiers discovered three pistols.
Following the search and questioning, the Soldiers detained four suspected kidnappers and took the seven kidnap victims to a nearby forward operating base. The kidnapping victims had been seized on 10 June near Namiyah where they work for an engineering firm. They were released after providing sworn statements.
(Compiled from official DOD sources)
Picking up the action.
Iraq has to get control of their own country still.
Doesn't look real good when the President can come visit without telling even the President of Iraq he is going to be there.
Shows the USA is in control fully right now despite what ever government Iraq has in place.
Not insulting our President or Iraq, but Iraq need to take control of their own country soon IMO.
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