Iraqi Police, Soldiers dodge bullets to rescue hostages

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

04.11.2005

Courtesy Story

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Spc. Ben Brody
Spartan Brigade PAO

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi Police, coordinating with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and Spartan Brigade Combat Team Military Police, raided a terrorist stronghold in southern Baghdad April 5.

The raid resulted in the apprehension of 15 insurgents, liberation of eight hostages, and the discovery of a small weapons cache.

After taking small-arms fire from buildings in Awhida, IPs and U.S. forces searched several blocks of the densely-populated residential area.

Many residents waved to the IPs, and pointed to the buildings where the terrorists were eventually captured. Several fleeing terrorists were also caught by a team of IPs as they moved to the south.

The joint force freed the hostages in two buildings during the raid. One said he was a 65-year-old schoolteacher and that his captors didn't like what he was teaching. The man's hands were badly bruised during his captivity. Another hostage was thought to be an IP officer.

Among the 12 weapons confiscated were several AK-47 assault rifles and a 7.62mm sniper rifle.

Awhida is in the northern tip of the notorious Salman Pak neighborhood, where many terrorists are known to live.

Residents of Awhida stood up to local terrorists several months ago and were met with an extremely violent reaction, said Lt. Col. Steven Merkel, 1st Bn., 9th FA commander, adding that he believes security in the neighborhood is now starting to improve again with the IPs" hard work.

"It was outstanding to watch the citizens of Awhida as their police force moved against the insurgents among them," he said. "People got up on the roofs, standing on empty insurgent fighting positions, and pointed where they fled to. I think the citizens are ready to take back their neighborhood from (Anti-Iraqi Forces)."

Soldiers from Spartan BCT mainly secured the outer perimeter during the raid, as IPs cleared buildings and detained terrorists.

Sgt. Courtnee Downs, Spartan MP platoon team leader, and Sgt. Sandy Rivera, an MP squad leader, secured a long alley and helped evacuate a young IP wounded while clearing a building.

Downs, of Rollinsford, N.H., and Rivera, of Gainesville, Fla., agreed it was good to see the local police taking charge of the operation.

"The IPs in our area are some of the most disciplined and professional we've ever worked with," Merkel said. "They take every opportunity they get to become more experienced."

Merkel estimates his battalion goes on four to six patrols a day with IPs.
Earlier in the day, he and Capt. Matthew Wheeler, an intelligence officer with 1-9 FA, met with an IP chief to discuss progress in the Jasir-Diyala area, just north of Awhida.

Wheeler, who cleared buildings with Merkel and an IP during the raid, said he was pleased at how the mission unfolded.

"Nobody got badly hurt, and the Iraqi Police led the effort," said Wheeler, a Kissimmee, Fla., native. "That's the way it should be."

• Date Taken: 04.11.2005
• Date Posted: 04.11.2005 13:53
• Story ID: 1569
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ