CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol Iraq to eliminate crimes against people and property, rid populated areas of weapons, ammunition and explosives, and stop the black market trade in fuel and other commodities. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.
Coalition Continues to Seek and Destroy Subversive Elements
A Coalition raid was conducted 150 kilometers Northwest of Baghdad Wednesday as part of the continued effort to eradicate Ba' ath Party loyalists, paramilitary groups and other subversive elements.
Coalition forces collected seventy to eighty Surface to Air Missiles (SA7's), 75-78 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), and approximately 20 AK47's.
Any information or intelligence gathered at the site of the raid by specially trained soldiers would assist coalition forces in providing a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people.
Weapons Turn-In Program:
Iraqi citizens voluntarily turned in a variety of weapons under the Weapons Turn-In Program that began June 1. As of today, Iraqi citizens have delivered to Weapons Collection Points a total of 115 pistols, 75 semi-automatic rifles or shotguns, 406 automatic rifles, 45 machine guns, 152 anti-tank weapons (i.e., rocket-propelled grenade launchers), 11 anti-air weapons, and 266 grenades and other explosive devices.
The amnesty period for the Weapons Turn-In Program will run through June 14.
Coalition Activity:
The 173d Airborne Brigade conducted a raid Thursday near Kirkuk after receiving intelligence information about alleged anti-Coalition elements. They apprehended 74 suspected Al-Qaida sympathizers.
An organized group of attackers fired RPGs at a 4th Infantry Division tank patrol in Balad on Friday. The tanks returned fire, killing four of the attackers, and forcing the remainder to flee. Tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles reinforced with AH-64 Apache helicopters pursued the enemy personnel killing 23 of the attackers.
The occupants of two vehicles with AK47 rifles fired upon a 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment vehicle patrol Thursday west of Samarrah. Soldiers returned fire and the vehicles fled. The vehicles were pursued but lost in traffic. Soldiers in a nearby unit were notified of the engagement and given the description of the vehicles involved. Coalition forces located a car that may have been used in the attack, and detained two individuals. There were no injuries or equipment damage.
Two individuals on a motorized cart fired at 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) checkpoint and then fled on Thursday. An Army helicopter tracked the vehicle to a building, where it disabled two fleeing vehicles, while soldiers on the ground detained three individuals for questioning.
Three individuals fired upon a 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) patrol in Mosul with AK47 rifles on Friday. Two individuals fled, one surrendered. Coalition forces confiscated a hand grenade.
4ID Conducted raid on Police Station in Khaneqin that seized a sizeable weapons cache. A raid was also conducted on illegal arms traffickers in Bayji. Two illegal weapons dealers were detained. Dealers may have information pertaining to a June 5 attack on US forces.
An Iraqi gunman with an AK47 was detained by the 4th Infantry Division patrol for questioning after a search of his residence produced 63 flares and 10 automatic weapon magazines.
Fifteen individuals driving vehicles towards Iran with blackout lights were apprehended by the 1st Marine Division for questioning.
A joint raid was conducted to capture suspected Ba'ath party members in Al Hillah. Iraqi police and Marines from the 4th Marine Regiment detained six individuals.
Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:
Coalition Forces conducted 10 raids and a total of 2,648 patrols throughout Iraq. Of those patrols, they conducted 322 joint Iraqi and Coalition patrols. They also detained or arrested 351 individuals for a variety of criminal activities including looting, curfew violations, weapons violations, theft, larceny and dealing drugs.
Recent Police Activity:
Army MPs and Marines continued the five-day police-training program for 499 students in As Samawah.
101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division continued to conduct police academy training in Qayyarah and As Shurah, and plans to graduate 80 new policemen in late June. They also conducted joint small arms training in Dahuk with the New Iraqi Security Force.
The 1st Marine Division graduated 280 new Iraqi policemen from the Ad Diwaniyah police academy.
An Iraqi citizen was shot at in South Baghdad by five unidentified males. Iraqi police transported the victim to the Al Yarmuk hosptial for treatment. An investigation is being conducted by the Iraqi police.
A car jacking occurred in North Baghdad. A local Iraqi citizen was on his way from Mosul to purchase horses in Baghdad. The victim reported that eight individuals in two vehicles armed with AK-47's and two pistols pulled him from his vehicle and drove it away. Victim reports that there was 19 million Dinar in his vehicle intended for horse purchase(s).
A family dispute erupted in West Baghdad, killing one civilian and wounding three others. Iraqi police continue to investigate this incident.
CAMP DOHA, Kuwait – Coalition Forces continue to assist in developing a safer and more secure environment in Iraq through the following activities.
NORTHERN AND CENTRAL IRAQ
Coalition Forces recently:
Reported conditions in Kirkuk continue to improve on a daily basis. Long lines for benzene no longer exist. Traffic into the city and activity in the market place has increased significantly. Basic services are being provided.
Reported Kirkuk citizens have accepted the interim government, which continues to make positive strides under the mentorship and guidance of Coalition Forces. Soldiers are working with the Iraqis in formulating the new structure of city government and working to hire department heads, developing of a long-range security and economic plan, and developing a city budget.
Completed payments to 500 additional Iraqi government ministry personnel. Also met with Ministry contractors and obtained a written contract for reconstruction of main Ministry building and 4 additional buildings.
Delivered 843,300 liters of fuel, and 3,940 cylinders of propane in Western Baghdad.
Facilitated the establishment of 84 of 88 Neighborhood Advisory Councils in Baghdad.
Obtained preliminary estimates for water infrastructure improvement projects in Adhamiyah that will establish new services to 650 homes, and restore service to thousands of civilians. Also purchased repair parts for two pump trucks in the city that will allow their maintenance team to conduct repairs of the sewage system.
Reported the situation at most gas stations; schools and hospitals in the Mosul area continue to improve. The average wait time for gasoline continues to diminish, school attendance continues to increase, and Coalition efforts to obtain supplies for upcoming school exams have been highly successful.
Continued sewage and garbage removal project in the Al Farat area.
Conducted "Task Force Neighborhood" mission in Baghdad that renovated a soccer field and a school / clinic. Conducted a second mission in Al Fallujah that repaired three other soccer fields. Assessed clinics and hospitals in the Mosul area for medical supply shortages, and delivered medical supplies.
Conducted a women’s clinic mission near Hadithah that treated 50 Iraqi women and numerous children.
Assessed the Fallujah Brick and Cement Factory for serviceability and assisted in efforts to reopen the facility.
Received 78 benzene and 59 propane trucks in Baghdad from Turkey this morning. The high volume of trucks carrying supplies from Syria to Iraq continued Thursday, with 227 truckloads of humanitarian and commercial supplies crossing into Iraq.
SOUTHERN IRAQ
Coordinated the barley and wheat subsidy plan in Al Hillah with agricultural officials.
Escorted fuel trucks as they distributed 560,000 gallons of fuel in As Samawah, Ar Rumaythah, and Al Khidr.
Assisted the Ad Diwaniyah water director in locating 10 tons of chlorine for water purification, alleviating the current shortage of this critical water purification chemical.
Participated in a grand opening of the Al-Rifah school in An Najaf, which was rehabilitated by U.S. Navy Seabees.
Delivered $25,500 to the Karbala Minister of Health for renovation of the Al Hussein Hospital’s emergency room and general infrastructure, and to requisition a 2-month supply of sanitation and pollution testing chemicals.
Reported Karbala sanitation workers began the cleaning of the aeration tanks at the water treatment plant in preparation for the final power washing.
Reported that Karbala received and began distribution of 60 tons of propane cooking fuel to residents.
Monitored and provided security for the distribution of bonuses to the Headmasters of the Al Kut schools. An estimated 6,574 teachers received their $30 bonuses Thursday, for a total of $197,000.