Posted on 01/23/2007 5:18:50 PM PST by SandRat
Commanders on the ground explained details of the operation.
“Our division led many successful operations in the Diyalal and Balad Ruz, Baqubah,” said Maj. Gen. Shakur al - Kaabi, commander, 5th Iraqi Army Division.
After gathering information and tips, Coalition Forces succeeded in locating the terrorist groups.
“We developed a plan in coordination with the 5th Iraqi Army Division,” said Col. David Sutherland, commander of 3rd brigade combat team 1st Calvary Division.
“We briefed our forces on it and then, starting on the 4th of January, began major combat operations against a group of terrorists, known as The Council, in the Turki Village, Tuwilla and 30 Tamuz area south of Balad Ruz.”
The operation, which lasted for 10 days, was conducted with Iraqi Army supported by Iraqi police from the Balad Ruz area and with Coalition force enablers, to include Air Force and Army aviation assets, artillery and security reconnaissance forces.
“During the operation we came in contact with and killed over 100 terrorists,” Sutherland said. “We captured an additional, close to, 50 terrorists and found over 25 caches of supplies.”
Some of the supplies found included 1,100 RPG rounds and launchers, sniper weapons, ammo, and sniper systems.
The forces met with stiff resistance as these were not un-disciplined insurgents but instead an organized fighting force.
“As far as the enemy that we faced with, this was a well-trained, well-determined, Wahhabist al Qaeda terrorist group,” said Capt. Stephen Dobbins, a company commander with 3-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. “They are not the normal insurgency seen. These men moved in squad formations, take care of their weapons systems and are good marksmen.”
Any doubts as to how the Iraqi security forces performed in the operation, were quickly dismissed, said Sutherland, who praised the security forces for their deeds and efforts during the operation.
“My Soldiers are absolutely committed to working with the Iraqi Security Forces and the Iraqi Army and we take great pride when we conduct operations like we did in Turki,” Sutherland said. “During those operations, we saw improvements in the Iraqi Army and we see partnering taking place with the Iraqi Police.”
All efforts were made to minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties.
“These operations were led according to accurate tips,” Shakur said. “In order to avoid the innocent people, we coordinated with Coalition Forces in the Diyala province to provide safe haven for the citizens there.”
Sutherland also invited media to come see how the Iraqi Security Forces and his own forces are performing in person to further disregard rumors that surround how both forces are doing.
“One of the problems we have up here is a lack of local media to display the correct picture,” Sutherland said.
Sutherland also expressed pride when it came to both American and Iraqi Soldiers during this operation and their involvement in the war.
“If I could convey anything from this message to the American people, it is that the American Soldier is the best fighting man and fighting woman in the world, the best I have ever seen” Sutherland said. “I cannot help but brag about the American troopers.”
Shakur also wished to express his gratitude for the assistance Coalition Forces were able to provide.
“I’d like to thank the Coalition Forces for supporting us in this operation,” Shakur said.
(Story by Army Spc. Scott Kim, Combined Press Information Center)
In other developments throughout Iraq:
Good thing it wasn't held in Kyoto.
Sutherland also invited media to come see how the Iraqi Security Forces and his own forces are performing in person to further disregard rumors that surround how both forces are doing.
“One of the problems we have up here is a lack of local media to display the correct picture,” Sutherland said.
Can't say I'd wish our media on them, big part of the problem, like Rush was saying, they never show successes,
and when you look at the times when they had to show successes, you hear everyone saying how great it is that we are.
Another Quote,
“My Soldiers are absolutely committed to working with the Iraqi Security Forces and the Iraqi Army and we take great pride when we conduct operations like we did in Turki,” Sutherland said.
“During those operations, we saw improvements in the Iraqi Army and we see partnering taking place with the Iraqi Police.”
And that's what I think the 'surge' of Troops is really about,
giving the Iraqi's a little more time for training,
while giving the impatient belly achers' something to tide them over.
Our Troops are already doing the training, and the Iraqi's will get the chance to be free and on their own,
we just need to be sure they can deny terrorist a base for operations.
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