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http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15858&Itemid=21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071215-03
December 15, 2007

Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces detain 27 suspected al-Qaeda in North Babil

Multi-National Division – Center PAO

NORTH BABIL, Iraq – A joint raid Dec. 7 resulted in the detention of 27 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists in a building in north Babil that was suspected to be an al-Qaeda safehouse where members planned attacks against local citizens, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

The raid was conducted by the Iraqi Army and Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), currently attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Intelligence indicated that the al-Qaeda members operating out of the building included high-value individuals.

The raid was conducted by an air assault.

As the Soldiers moved from the helicopter, they received direct small-arms fire from the direction of the building.

Coalition Forces returned fire and eventually captured the suspects, including one suspect who attempted to flee and hide in a ditch before being captured.

That individual turned out to be one of the high-value targets.

“The Iraqi Army did a fantastic job in clearing the objective area,” said Capt. George Morris, commander of Co. B, 2-502nd Inf. Regt.

“There is no place to hide,” said Lt. Col. Kane Barksdale, commander of 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., the battalion task force that 2-502nd Inf. Regt. is tasked under.

“For my area of operation, this was a great success,” Barksdale said, adding that much of the success of the mission was owed to intelligence reports from Concerned Local Citizens.

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