Posted on 01/10/2007 11:55:27 PM PST by pissant
BALAD RUZ, Iraq – After seven days of combined operations south of Balad Ruz, Iraqi Army Soldiers, in partnership with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, continue to discover large weapons caches and destroy anti-Iraqi forces throughout the Turki Village area.
“Our forces have been able to adapt to all situations, and have shown their ability to conduct intelligence-driven operations in different environments, terrain and conditions,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province.
Having cleared over 200 kilometers of terrain, the 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army, with support from 3-1 Cav., has unearthed approximately 20 caches, killed more than 85 terrorists and detained 25 suspected anti-Iraqi forces.
“These weapons and harmful supplies are used by terrorists against local tribes, families, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces throughout Diyala and Baghdad,” Sutherland said. In fighting yesterday, CF and IA engaged eight different small AIF elements with small-arms fire, mortars, artillery, Bradley fighting vehicles and close air support, resulting in the deaths of more than two dozen AIF.
“As a result of the significant amount of force brought by the IA and CF into the area, and the ability to dominate the terrain, local civilians are providing information due to the terrorists inability to spread fear and hatred,” said Maj. Roy H. Adams, III, the brigade plans officer.
The operation, which began Jan. 4, with a combined air and ground assault, continues to target AIF that are believed to have tortured and executed more than 40 members of rival tribes in the area in November. “We have linked this particular group of terrorists to multiple acts of violence throughout Diyala in the areas of Baqubah, Khalis, Muqdadiyah and Balad Ruz,” said Sutherland.
Since discovering more than 1,150 57-mm rockets Saturday, the Soldiers have uncovered several more caches containing improvised explosive device-making material, more than 1,000 rocket-propelled grenades, 13 anti-tank mines, more than 1,000 small-arms munitions, 1,050 heavy machine gun rounds, dozens of anti-tank missiles and other terrorist planning documents.
“The IA is very proactive in working with the government of Diyala to reduce access to weapons that are used against their people for fear and intimidation,” Adams said.
“By reducing their resources and bringing the terrorists to justice, the IA is making Diyala an area where families can participate in a free and democratic Iraq, while participating in the political process as opposed to the terrorist process,” Sutherland added.
Real Americans are proud of you, soldiers.
and, unfortunately, news such as this will never see the light of day in the msm...
They've been undermining our efforts since the "quagmire" sandstorm 3 days into the war. Why stop now.
dead scumbag ping
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