Iraqs Inconvenient Truth :: Iraq War News Updates

Regional chiefs hope new resort will help kick-start holiday industry

By Michael Howard

Welcome to the Pank resort, a multi-million-pound leisure complex that would be unremarkable in most parts of the world. But in a country riven by war the sight of alpine-style chalets, manicured lawns and a roller-coaster sledge ride comes as a shock. It is easy to forget that this is Iraq. Even more so when you take in the stunning backdrop of some of Kurdistan’s highest peaks.

“Simply strap yourself in and let gravity do the rest,” an attendant tells a pair of thrill-seekers as he gives the cart a gentle shove. “There’s no need for any steering,” he tells them as they slide forward, “you do have a brake handle.”

Once complete the site will boast a five-star hotel, restaurants, swimming pools, saunas, tennis courts, helipads and mini golf. A cable car will be also constructed across the spectacular gorge where only eagles dare.

“It is the first such tourist investment in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein,” says its proud owner, Hazem Kurda, a former refugee from the Ba’athist regime, who made his fortune importing raw brown rice into the EU from his new home in Sweden. Like thousands in the Kurdish diaspora who left under Saddam he returned home after the “liberation” in 2003.

“I saw an opportunity. People may say I am crazy. But building a proper responsible tourist industry in Kurdistan could benefit Iraq as a whole,” he says. “Tourism could help wean us from our reliance on oil.”

The site near the town of Rowanduz is situated 1,000 metres up, on a narrow tongue of rock that slopes down from Korek mountain between the deep canyons of two rivers, then narrows and ends in a small plateau. It is on this plateau that Mr Kurda chose to develop the resort. But first he had to remove the mines left behind by Saddam’s army.

The new complex is just part of broader plans to develop the tourist sector elsewhere in Iraqi Kurdistan. Mr Kurda is just the kind of risk-taker the authorities are looking for.

“We would like to see more investors like him,” says Nimrud Beito, the tourism minister, in the new tourism ministry in the regional capital, Irbil. The Kurdish regional government has introduced tax breaks for anyone who wants to take the plunge, he says.

An Assyrian from the northern city of Dohuk, Mr Beito says the region has much to offer: “ancient archaeological sites, cultural and religious locations, and splendid natural scenery.”

He foresees a growth in activity tourism, rock climbing, white water rafting, and bird watching.

The tourism infrastructure is rudimentary at best. The few decent hotels are over-priced and are often full of visiting businessmen. There are no tour guides or information packs. Few taxi drivers speak a foreign language. And if you venture on to the roads by yourself, the Saddam-era maps will soon get you lost.

Frustrated with the image of Iraq in the outside world, the Kurdish authorities are trying to present another face. “The focus is on building a future rather than on simply trying to stay alive,” says Mr Beito.

Much is made of the Kurds’ friendliness to foreigners and the fact that not a single American soldier has been killed in the region since 2003.

The British Foreign Office also recently altered its travel advisory to northern Iraq to reflect its relative stability. Despite the proximity to strife-torn cities such as Mosul and Kirkuk, and with the Turkish army camped on the northern borders, Iraqi Kurdistan remains remarkably calm.

The first British package tour to Kurdistan has just returned home. Geoff Hahn of Hinterland Travel, who has been organising Iraq tours for the best part of 30 years, took a group to Rowanduz, Yezidi villages, Irbil’s ancient citadel - reputedly the world’s oldest continuously inhabited place, and the site of the legendary battle of Arbella between Alexander the Great and the Persians. “We are an adventure travel firm and it was an adventure,” he says. “But it was a good one and we already have plenty of interest for another tour in September.”

For Mr Kurda the resort is the fulfilment of a childhood dream. As a 12-year-old he would slip past the Iraqi guard posts keeping a watchful eye on his hometown and perch on the edge of the gorge to study his schoolbooks. “I made a promise to myself that if I worked hard enough one day that land, this magical place where I grew up, would no longer be a place of oppression but one of joy,” he says. “I wanted to hear the sound of laughter in a land which has seen much suffering.”

Part of the project will reflect how different the Kurds are from the Arabs, he says. “Not better, just different, with our own history and culture. We Kurds have been here as long as the mountains themselves.”

The Kurdish hope for a tourism influx may yet be disappointed. A bomb attack against the interior ministry in Irbil in May, which killed a number of civilians, was a reminder of the terrorist threat. But with two international airports built since 2003 the once isolated region is now more accessible.

Last December Austrian Airlines became the first international scheduled airline to fly into Iraq. Occupancy is running at 80%, and the route is one of the best performing on the Austrian network, according to Peter Katzlberger, the country director in Iraq. IraqUpdates

The House of Councillors on Wednesday enacted a special measures law designed to enable an extension of Japanese air troops’ mission in Iraq by two years with a majority endorsement from lawmakers of the governing Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner the New Komeito party. IraqUpdates

The House of Representatives approved the law on May 15.

 20 June 2007 (Reuters)

U.S. and Iraqi forces killed at least 30 al Qaeda militants and found numerous weapons during the first full day of a big offensive against the Sunni Islamist group north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the military said a guided missile strike destroyed a weapons cache inside a known al Qaeda safe house.

The offensive around the city of Baquba in Diyala province, launched before dawn on Tuesday, is one of the biggest military operations in Iraq since the invasion in 2003.

“This operation is just beginning and we will continue to strike al Qaeda no matter where they hide and we won’t rest until the job is done,” said Brigadier-General Mick Bednarek, deputy commanding general, operations, 25th Infantry Division.

The statement said troops discovered at least two weapons caches containing assault weapons, grenades and rocket launchers. They also found four bombs hidden in homes as well as 10 buried in the ground.

The U.S. military had previously said 22 militants were killed in the early hours of the offensive in Diyala province, an al Qaeda stronghold.

Around 10,000 American soldiers, backed by attack helicopters, close air support and armored fighting vehicles are taking part in the offensive, dubbed Operation Arrowhead Ripper. Some 2,000 Iraqi soldiers and police are also involved.

Baquba lies 65 km (40 miles) north of Baghdad. IraqUpdates

BAGHDAD — Coalition forces killed 22 insurgents in the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, a large scale effort to eliminate al-Qaeda members in Baqubah, Tuesday.

The 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division launched the offensive with a quick-strike night air assault early Tuesday morning.

“The end state is to destroy the al-Qaeda influences in this province and eliminate their threat against the people,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek, deputy commanding general of operations for the 25th Infantry Division. “That is the number one, bottom-line, up-front, in-your-face task and purpose.”

About 10,000 Soldiers, with a full complement of attack helicopters, close-air support, Strykers and Bradley fighting vehicles, are taking part in Arrowhead Ripper, which is still in its opening stages. Elements of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division; the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade are also participating in the operation.

“One of the keys as we initiate combat actions and operations here is the newly formed Diyala Operations Center,” Bednarek said. “It serves as an integration center that will coordinate all activities in Diyala (including) the police, the Army and Coalition forces from Task Force Lightning.”

In a separate operation south of Baghdad Tuesday, Coalition forces raided a series of buildings targeting associates of an al-Qaeda emir in the area. As ground forces approached the buildings, a man ran out of the house and rushed toward Coalition forces, ignoring instructions to stop.

Coalition forces, reacting to the perceived hostile threat, shot and killed the man. Inside the building, Coalition forces detained a suspected terrorist with ties to the targeted emir, military officials said.

Additionally, Coalition forces captured a suspected associate of senior al-Qaeda leaders in the Iraqi capital Tuesday, and detained three suspects with ties to terrorist leaders. Troops also found a small weapons cache.

In Anbar province, two separate Coalition operations Tuesday netted six suspected terrorists associated with senior al-Qaeda leaders, officials said.

Troops nabbed three individuals south of Fallujah for their alleged involvement in planting improvised explosive devices and organizing terrorist groups in the area. Forces detained three suspects with ties to terrorist leaders west of Tarmiyah.

The operations Coalition forces conduct continue to eliminate terrorist forces in order to build a stable and safe Iraq.

(U.S. Army story compiled from Multi-National Force-Iraq and Multi-National Corps-Iraq news releases)
 

In other developments throughout Iraq:

• Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) provided on-the-spot medical care for the citizens at the local school in Mullah Fayad, Friday.  

• Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army engaged and killed four extremist gunmen during two separate engagements in the city of Baqouba Monday.

IRAQI AND COALITION FORCES BATTLE ROGUE ELEMENTS

Posted: 20 Jun 2007 04:54 AM GMT-06:00

IRAQI AND COALITION FORCES BATTLE ROGUE ELEMENTS

OPERATION ‘ARROWHEAD RIPPER’ CONTINUES IN BAQOUBA

Posted: 20 Jun 2007 04:52 AM GMT-06:00

OPERATION ‘ARROWHEAD RIPPER’ CONTINUES IN BAQOUBA

By Spc. Chris McCann, 2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. PAO
Jun 17, 2007 - 5:56:39 AM

Sgt. Jonathan Kirkendall, a native of Falls City, Neb., looks at a photo of his wife, who was pregnant when the picture was taken. Kirkendall has an 8-month-old daughter he’s only spent two weeks with, as well as two stepchildren. Father’s Day isn’t especially difficult for him, he said. Other Soldiers have a tougher time, they say. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Chris McCann, 2nd BCT PAO)

Blackanthem Military News:

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Deployment is hard on any Soldier, and a 12-to-15 month tour can strain a marriage.

But what can make it even tougher on troops is missing their children, and Father’s Day can be a reminder of just what they’ve left behind.

“The hardest thing about this whole deployment is being away from my kids,” said Maj. Kenny Mintz, the operations officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) from Fort Drum, N.Y.

“They’re young, impressionable and innocent,” Mintz said. “Missing a whole year of that is a tremendous sacrifice. No amount of wealth or glory or honor can compensate for that.”

Mintz, a native of San Diego, Calif., has four children, ranging in age from 5 and 10, and he is very close to his family, he said.

“It’s a tremendous sacrifice for any parent,” said Mintz.

Sgt. Jonathan Kirkendall, a native of Falls City, Neb., and the projects manager for the 2nd BCT, married recently; his wife has two children, ages 7 and 10, from a previous marriage, and the Kirkendalls recently had another.

“They realize what’s going on,” Kirkendall said. “It’s taking a toll.”

He spent a lot of his time on his two weeks of leave with the children, he said.

“I took (my stepdaughter) Kyra shopping when I was home, and let her paint my fingernails and put makeup on me. I don’t mind it – I just won’t get in a dress,” Kirkendall said, laughing. “Jadyn, the baby – I just laid on the couch with her and watched her throw up on me.”

Kirkendall’s family sent a Fathers’ Day package for him, he said, with an embroidered blanket and a card.

“I love being a dad,” he said. “At first I didn’t want kids until I was 30 or so. But when I got to know my stepchildren, Cody and Kyra, I realized I love kids. It’s hard to be away from them, Cody especially. We both love video games, and I try to take him fishing. The hardest part is I’ve only seen Jadyn for two weeks, and she’ll be a year old when I get home. The last time I saw her she would fit in a shoebox, and now she’s crawling.”

Sgt. 1st Class Steven Trayah, a native of Georgia, Vt., and the platoon sergeant for the intelligence section of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT, has two children, a son, 15 and a daughter, 12.

“I’m participating in the Fathers’ Day video teleconference,” Trayah said. “They sent presents that I will open during that so they can see my reactions.”

The younger Trayahs are used to his deployments, he said.

“It’s all they know, really,” he said. “They accept it; they don’t necessarily like it, but they know it’s what I do … I’ve been on four deployments. And it gives them some different experiences, different places, and coping with difficult situations.”

Seeing his family over the VTC doesn’t make him any more homesick, Trayah said, but Mintz feels otherwise.

“I think the video teleconference makes it harder – it’s harder on me, anyway. Part of me thinks I should do it, but part of me doesn’t want to face them. It’s hard to see them and be 8,000 miles away.”

Fathers’ Day is difficult for him, he said, but maybe more so for his family.

“I’ll be fighting the war like every other day. But they might actually stop and think about me being gone.”

“I’ll call home and talk to the kids, if they’re not too busy – they’re always doing something,” Mintz said, smiling. “Anytime I call, I hear a ruckus in the background.”

War doesn’t stop for Fathers’ Day, but those troops with children at home still may feel an extra ache in their heart.

“It’s a tremendous sacrifice for the families and the service member,” said Mintz. “This way of life is a constant reminder of what we’re fighting for, a better world for my kids, and hopefully, a safer world.”

By Multi-National Division - North PAO
Jun 16, 2007 - 7:55:52 PM

Blackanthem Military News,

TIKRIT, Iraq – An Iraqi citizen tip led Coalition Forces to two wanted insurgent cell leaders and nine other suspected insurgents, who were captured during operations June 15, near the village of Hawijah, 40 miles southwest of the city of Kirkuk.

The two men wanted for coordinating attacks against coalition and Iraqi Security Forces and aiding Al Qaeda in Iraq were captured by Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division.

There were no reports of coalition or civilian casualties.

The 2-27 Infantry Battalion is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

By Staff Sgt. Samantha Stryker, Task Force Marne PAO
Jun 16, 2007 - 8:20:28 PM

Blackanthem Military News, CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -

Spc. Ratura Davis (left), a supply clerk, Spc. Jonathan Bachman (second from left), a gunner, Sgt. Shaun Dunn (right), a team leader, Spc. Jordan Ray (second from right), a saw gunner and Spc. Jonathan Yancy (fourth from right), a rifleman, all who serve with the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons”, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) from Fort Drum, N.Y., stand with 2-14 Inf. Div. Command Sgt. Maj. Clyde Glenn (third from right), and the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Ga., Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch (fourth from right) and the 3rd Inf. Div. senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Andrews Jr. (third from right), after reenlisting at the division’s headquarters on Camp Victory, Iraq June 14. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Samantha Stryker, Task Force Marne PAO)

RELEASE No. 20070616-04
June 16, 2007

BAGHDAD – With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Army Forces from the city of Irbil in Diyanah Province, conducted an early morning air assault operation in Mashat Village June 6 detaining two insurgent leaders and five suspected insurgents.

The suspects, who have been linked to an al-Qaeda terrorist network operating out of northern Iraq, are allegedly responsible for the June 1 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Haychel; the May 13, VBIED attack in Makmoor; the Feb. 13, 2005 attack that killed three Iraqi National Guard Soldiers; and the May 14, 2004 assassination of the Governor of Ninewa.

“Working side by side with their U.S. Special Forces advisors, the Iraqis formulated a plan, rehearsed every possible contingency and waited for the optimum time to strike in order to avoid injury to Civilians and damage to private property,” said the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Arabian Peninsula SOTF North director.

Attacking multiple target houses simultaneously, Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained their primary targets without incident. Five other suspicious individuals were also detained as they attempted to flee the area during the operation.

“The real heroes of this operation are the Iraqi civilians who came forward at great personal risk and provided the information necessary to remove this terrorist cell from their midst,” the director said. “The Iraqi Army unit responsible for this successful operation spent many hours gathering and developing the intelligence for this raid.”

The purpose of the operation, the director said, was to severely disrupt the al-Qaeda network’s ability to conduct assassinations and IED attacks on innocent civilians in Mashat Village, Sharqat District as well as disrupt terrorist activity and influence in the Za’ab triangle north from Baghdad to Mosul or Irbil.

“The removal of these criminals validates the courage, competence and efficiency of the Iraqi forces and sends a clear message to the Iraqi population their security forces stand ready day and night to attack the criminals and terrorists who threaten the security and stability of Iraq,” the director said.

“Their hard work paid off – they achieved total surprise on the target. Disoriented by the speed and violence of the attack and overwhelmed by the numerically superior Coalition Forces, the (suspected) terrorists surrendered without firing a shot.” mnf-iraq.com

13TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT BEGINS OPERATIONS IN AL ANBAR

Posted: 15 Jun 2007 03:03 PM GMT-06:00

13TH MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNIT BEGINS OPERATIONS IN AL ANBAR

BAGHDAD – Working with local Iraqi civilians June 12, Iraqi Forces raided four houses n Bulayj and detained seven suspected al-Qaeda insurgents believed to be responsible or improvised explosive device, rocket and rocket propelled grenade attacks against raqi civilians and Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

With coalition advisers present for support, Iraqi soldiers raided several
residences in the villages of Cahira and Bulayji in northwest Iraq.

During the raid on one house, four suspects were detained. These four have
been identified as those believed responsible for a June 11 improvised explosive device
attack against Coalition Forces in the Bulayj area.

Continuing with their mission, Iraqi forces gave chase to a suspicious person
running from a neighboring house. He was detained for questioning after being found
hiding in a bathroom. The final two people, a father and son believed to be main players
in recent small arms and RPG attacks in Bi’aj, Iraq, were detained in the fourth target
house.

Besides the seven suspected terrorists detained, a recently purchased new
Toyota truck used for attacks in Bi’aj, a Glock pistol, a shotgun, four AK-47 assault rifles
and seven cell phones were confiscated.

After securing the site of the security operation, the soldiers transported the
detainees to a detainment facility where they will be questioned regarding their alleged
involvement in terrorist activity. The seized materials will also be analyzed.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during this operation.

Friday, 15 June 2007 By 1st Lt. Brian Cooke
2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment

BAGHDAD — Adjusted security measures have resulted in a resurgence of economic growth in the western BaghdadBaghdad soldiers and Iraqi Security Forces give way to shopkeepers, and fear gives way to progress. neighborhood of Hateen. A local market has seen a resurgence of activity as Multi-National Division –

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, have teamed up with members of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army to find a way to stimulate business in the Hateen Market while still maintaining security.

As a result, economic activity in the market has increased, fostering better relations between local merchants and the Iraqi Army.

The market, located in the southeastern Mansour neighborhood of Hateen, is the economic center of the area and its activity is directly tied to the economic prosperity of the residents.

Markets in Baghdad have long been a favorite target of suicide bombers, and the previous Iraqi Army unit in Hateen worried that the market there might be next in the long line of attacks committed by insurgents. With its three blocks of
grocery stores, butcher shops, cafes, and vegetable stands, the Hateen Market presented a security problem for 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Infantry Division.

In response to this problem, the Iraqi battalion blocked the roads leading into the market with concertina wire and concrete and sand-filled barriers. The concertina wire and concrete kept suicide bombers at bay, but it also limited
pedestrian access to the market. As a result, sales plummeted and a large number of proprietors closed their shops.

The local merchants were distraught by the decline in customers, and requested that the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces find a way to secure their market without limiting pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

The new Iraqi Army battalion commander, Col. Ali Al-Obaydi, made fixing the situation in the Hateen Market his top priority. On May 21, Col. Ali toured the market, along with Maj. Jim MacGregor, 2-32 FA’s executive officer, and Capt. Brian McCall, commander of Battery A, 2-32 FA.

Together, the three leaders engaged local merchants about the status of commerce in the market and asked the shop owners what could be done to stimulate business. Most of the owners agreed that the Iraqi Army needed to remove the concertina wire and abandon its blocking position to allow local residents easier access to the market.

They also asked that Coalition Forces conduct regular combined patrols of the market with Iraqi Army units. Within one week, the blocking position was unmanned and the concertina wire was removed. Business in the market immediately picked up. Soldiers from 2-32 FA regularly patrol through the market with Iraqi Army troops, and local merchants greet both forces with smiles and, many times, an offer of a cold drink or snacks.

“It was unbelievable,” remarked McCall, following a patrol of the market a week after his tour with Col. Ali. “Just a week ago, half of these stores were closed, and the ones that were open had owners who only wanted to complain to Col. Ali and I. A week later, I felt like I was walking through a completely different market. The shops were all open. The merchants seemed happy, and best of all, there were customers everywhere.”

McCall added that his unit, in conjunction with 2-5-6th IA, will continue to evaluate economic activity in the market. He said they are currently planning an advertising campaign that will use billboards to highlight the security of the market.

By Spc. Shea Butler, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Jun 15, 2007 - 12:48:06 PM
Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq -

Lt. Col. Bruce Allen (left) and Pfc. Rolando Trinidad (right), the oldest and youngest troops of the Multi-National Division - Baghdad along with the MND-B commanding general, Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr. (center), cut the Army’s 232nd birthday cake during a celebration at the division’s headquarters on Camp Liberty in western Baghdad June 14. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Shea Butler, 7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

By 1st Lt. Brian Cooke, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment
Jun 15, 2007 - 12:56:31 PM Blackanthem Military News

U.S. and Iraqi Army humvees form a combined cordon to isolate a weapons cache found in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Yarmouk June 13. The cache was the largest found in that area to date by U.S. or Iraqi forces. (US Army photo by 1st Lt. Patrick Henson, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment)

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers, working in conjunction with Iraq Army troops, uncovered a large cache of explosives and bomb-making materials in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Yarmouk June 13.

Iraqi troops from 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division initially discovered a weapons cache while on patrol in the Yarmouk neighborhood.  The cache contained 113 land mines, 63 grenades, three rockets, three mortars, two gas masks, five washing machine timers, more than 2000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and seven boxes of various electronics and other assorted explosives.

It is the largest weapons cache discovery by either U.S. or Iraqi forces to date in the Yarmouk area.  The Iraqi troops quickly notified their liaison officer at the Joint Security Station Torch, where both Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces work and live together.

“This is just more proof to us that having the JSS and being out in the community is what’s allowing us to work so effectively with the Iraqi Army,” said Major Jim MacGregor, executive officer of 2-32nd FA.

The 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment received the report and sent a patrol to the site of the cache to assist the Iraqi troops.  Upon arrival the U.S. patrol leader, 1st Lt. Nick Bell, received an update from the Iraqi battalion commander, Col. Ali Al-Obaydi.

Ali told the lieutenant that a gardener was trimming the bushes of an empty house for which he was the caretaker, and noticed several bags hidden behind the shrubs.  Upon closer inspection, the gardener identified what he believed to be hand grenades and promptly called the Iraqi Army for help.  Col. Ali responded to the call and then sent word for U.S. assistance to dispose of the explosives.

McGregor pointed to the tip coming from a resident as another sign of progress in Yarmouk.

“The people of Yarmouk are showing us that they are ready to stand up against violence and make their neighborhood’s better places to live,” he said.

Bell and Ali’s troops set up a joint cordon of the area to secure the cache and ensure the safety of local residents.  Once the area was secure, an explosive ordnance disposal team was called in to destroy the munitions.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

An Iraqi Army soldier and Lakeland, Fla., native Sgt. Vincent Passero, provide security together near the site of a weapons cache discovery June 13 in the western Baghdad Yarmouk neighborhood. (US Army photo by 1st Lt. Patrick Henson, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment)

A weapons cache found June 13 contained 113 land mines, 63 grenades, three rockets, three mortars, two gas masks, five washing machine timers, more than 2000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and seven boxes of various electronics and other assorted explosives. It is the largest weapons cache discovery by either U.S. or Iraqi forces to date in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Yarmouk. (US Army photo by 1LT Patrick Henson, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment)

By Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO
Jun 15, 2007 - 12:45:59 PM

Mortar systems and munitions are laid out for inventory following an early morning raid in the eastern Baghdad Sadr City District June 13. Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division teamed up with a platoon of Iraqi National Police to conduct the raid. Six suspects were also detained in the operation. (U.S. Army photo)

Blackanthem Military News

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Multi-National Division - Baghdad troops teamed up with a platoon of Iraqi National Police to conduct a targeted raid in the eastern Baghdad Sadr City District June 13, seizing a sizeable weapons cache and six suspects.

The early morning raid began before 3 a.m., as members of 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and a platoon of Iraqi National Police arrived at the target location.

The troops found three complete 60mm mortar systems, one complete 82mm mortar system, one complete 120mm mortar system, four 120mm mortar rounds, 32 60mm mortar rounds, three 107mm rockets, one rifle scope, two AK-47 rifles, two sets of body armor and a variety of weapons manuals.

Six suspects were seized in the raid at the site.  All six are being held for further questioning.

Baghdad, 13 June 2007 (Voices of Iraq)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said his government continues to draft laws serving the Iraqi people, citing the bills proposed by his government in the fields of oil and gas and on accountability and the provinces.

“The national unity government is also exerting ungrudging efforts to launch national reconciliation despite regional interference and conspiracies encumbering the political process,” a cabinet statement quoted Maliki as telling visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State John Negroponte.

“We have several tasks ahead, on top of which is the development of our security agencies and armed forces to stand up against the terrorist al-Qaeda organization, Saddamists (people loyal to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein) and militias,” Maliki said in the cabinet statement received by the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI).

Maliki has referred to the “national unity government’s success in eliminating the largest threat – sectarian war – through a national reconciliation initiative strongly supported by all groups of the Iraqi people and political powers.”

Negroponte, for his part, reiterated the U.S. administration’s support for the Iraqi people and government, in the face of challenges and foreign interference, to enhance security and stability and provide better services for the Iraqi people, the statement noted. IraqUpdates

Tuesday, 12 June 2007

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Army troops and Coalition Soldiers conducted a joint security operation in the Hor Al Bosh neighborhood of Baghdad Wednesday.

Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) teamed with Soldiers from the 2nd “Stallion” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment to perform a large Iraqi-led combined cordon and search operation, in an effort to clear the streets of extremists.

Coalition Soldiers observed the Iraqi troops as they conducted the searches. The Iraqi troops went from house to house checking for weapons caches and meeting with the people of each neighborhood. The troops handed out tip cards to locals for information on any extremists who may be operating in the area.

Coalition Soldiers only assisted the Iraqi troops when needed.

“They’re (the Iraqi troops) pretty comfortable with everything and taking it slowly and deliberately as they go about their searches,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ben Melton, a platoon leader for Company D, 2-8th Cav. Reg. “They’re really doing an excellent job flushing out the bad guys.”

Soldiers from the Stallion Battalion have been helping train the Iraqi troops in advanced infantry tactics and other aspects of military training in the last few months. It has been only recently that members of the 2-8th Cav. Reg. have been able to conduct joint operations with their Iraqi counterparts.

“When we go on missions with them, we haven’t had to give them any pointers, they’re pretty much already on it,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Marcus Canseco, a squad leader for Company D, 2-8th Cav. Reg..

Iraqi troops arrested 17 suspects and confiscated several illegal weapons through the course of the day.

The days success is a testament to the Iraqi Army troops and U.S. Soldiers working together to gain the trust of locals, Canseco said.

“We’ve been securing our patrol base here and making our presence known, and a lot of the time we’ve spent here has involved meeting the people and most of them want us and the Iraqi Security Forces here,” said Canseco. “We feel really good about what we’re doing here today.”

The Iraqi Army Soldiers operate with dedication and motivation. When they take fire they react and accomplish the mission, Canseco said.

Iraqi troops taking the lead in operations is evidence of their continued commitment to building a safe and secure Iraq.

(U.S. Army Story from Multi-National Division-Baghdad PAO)

In other developments throughout Iraq:

* Coalition forces detained 12 suspected terrorists during operations to disrupt the al-Qaeda in Iraq network Monday.

* Multi-National Force–Iraq is providing new business and employment opportunities for Iraqis within an initiative designed to help boost local economies.

By Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO
Jun 10, 2007 - 5:49:28 PM
Blackanthem Military News

An Iraqi man talks to Iraqi troops from the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) during a combined cordon and search operation in Hor Al Bosh, Iraq June 6. The Iraqi-led joint operation also involved participation from Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment. Interacting more with the people in the area is just one of the many ways Iraqi Army troops are taking the lead in security operations within this village north of Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp, 1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs)

BAGHDAD, Iraq — In a push to clear the streets here of extremists, Iraqi Army troops of the 3rd Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division (Mechanized) teamed with Soldiers from the 2nd “Stallion” Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment to perform a large Iraqi-led combined cordon and search operation, going door-to-door in every neighborhood here June 6.

In this particular operation, the Stallions simply observed as the Iraqi Army troops performed the searches.

The Iraqi soldiers walked from house to house checking for weapons, caches and meeting the people, as well as handing out tips cards for information on any extremists who may be lurking in the neighborhoods. When they were needed, Soldiers from the 2-8th Cavalry assisted the Iraqi troops.

“They’re (the Iraqi troops) pretty comfortable with everything and taking it slowly and deliberately as they go about their searches,” said Bedford, Va., native 1st Lt. Ben Melton, a platoon leader for Company D, 2-8th Cavalry. “They’re really doing an excellent job flushing out the bad guys.”

“This is a mainly IA-driven operation,” he added. “These are the types of things they need to be doing to eventually be able to take over the security of their own country. That’s exactly what they’re doing.”

Over the past few months, Soldiers from Stallion Battalion have been helping to train the 3-9th troops advanced infantry tactics and other aspects of military training. Just recently, the 2-8th troops have begun going on real missions with their Iraqi counterparts.

“When we go on missions with them, we haven’t had to give them any pointers, they’re pretty much already on it,” said Sgt. Marcus Canseco, a squad leader for Co. D who hails from Humble, Texas.

Canseco has seen the Iraqi troops work under fire.

“They’re just like any other infantry squad. They’re highly motivated and dedicated to the task,” he said. “The other day when they took fire, they handled everything very well and ended up capturing three detainees.”

Within the course of this day’s mission, the Iraqi troops arrested 17 suspects and confiscated several illegal weapons.

The day’s success, according to Canseco, is a testament to the Iraqi Army soldiers and U.S. troops working together to gain the trust of the villagers in Hor Al Bosh.

“We’ve been securing our patrol base here and making our presence known, and a lot of the time we’ve spent here has involved meeting the people and most of them want us and the Iraqi Security Forces here,” said Canseco. “We feel really good about what we’re doing here today.”

Canseco said he hopes his troops gain an appreciation for the Iraqi people and the Iraqi Security Forces with whom they are working.

“I hope they see how the people live here and earn a better understanding of the culture,” said Canseco. “I think it will give them a better appreciation for the freedoms they have back home.”

“It’s a small town and it needs to be cleared so the people here can have a future,” said Willows, Calif., native Spc. James Boggan, an infantryman with Co. D. “I’m just glad that we’re able to help the Iraqi Army as they transition so they can give their people a better life by getting rid of any insurgent elements in their town.”

ADDI