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Iraqi security forces net alleged terrorist

Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi army soldier looks on as an interpreter working with coalition forces...... read more read more

IRAQ

10.14.2006

Courtesy Story

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Antonieta Rico
5th Mobile Public Affairs Det.

Mosul, Iraq---Iraqi security forces launched a dawn raid Saturday (Oct. 14) in the Mosul neighborhood of Tahreer. The raid netted an alleged Al-Qaeda in Iraq low-level leader, and denied safe heaven to terrorists in the neighborhood during the mid-stages of the holy month of Ramadan, a time notorious for spikes in violence against Iraqi and Coalition forces.

The raid was a joint effort between Iraqi army soldiers and Iraqi police with Soldiers of Company A, 2-3 Inf., 3-2 SBCT out of Fort Lewis, Wash. and Soldiers of the 549th Military Police Company out of Fort Stewart, Ga., providing back up security and operations over watch.

"We had reports that a couple of different neighborhoods across our battalion's AO (area of operations) were potentially staging points for AIF (anti-Iraqi forces) coming from out of town in preparation for mid-Ramadan surge operations," said Capt. Jim Harbridge, commander for Company A, 2-3 Inf. Reg., 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Based on that information, the Stryker Soldiers met with Iraqi soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 4th Iraqi Army Brigade and made final coordination, which included Iraqi policemen from the Abi Tamaam district and Soldiers with the 549th MP Company.

Despite the fact that four independent units were involved in the operation, their interaction was efficient. Iraqi security forces worked well with coalition forces and coalition forces were confident in their Iraqi counterparts, due in part to the positive attitude of ISF.

"The Iraqi Army and Iraqi police have really bought into the whole mentality that an attack against anyone of us is an attack against all of us," said Harbridge.

Three men were detained by Iraqi police during the raids in Tahreer, which were part of a larger scale simultaneous operation that spanned two other Mosul neighborhoods.

More importantly, though, Harbridge said the raids let anti Iraqi forces know that there is no place in Tahreer for terrorists to hide.

During the operation, Company A's 4th platoon was also involved in a search at a school in the neighborhood. Although the search netted no caches, Harbridge said it deprived terrorists any space which they might try to use as a staging area for their terrorist acts.

"It really was another way to disrupt the area, disrupt anybody with plans, and deny them the use of that school," Harbridge said.

Harbridge feels the joint effort was a great success.

"It feels good anytime you can find somebody that you have been looking for a while, and you know that he is a bad guy hurting people," Harbridge said.

Having detained their target also boosts the confidence of Iraqi security forces, and lets the people of Iraq know they have forces capable of keeping them safe.

"It is a gratifying feeling, not only for us, but I think more importantly, for Iraqi police and Iraqi army because they know that they went after a target and they found him," said Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Kleinholz, 2nd platoon sergeant with the 549th MP Company.

Kleinholz also feels the operation was a success. Not only did coalition forces come together with Iraqi security forces and perform well, but also, Iraqi police and Iraqi army, who are known to hold some animosity toward each other, worked excellent together, he said.

"They are, everyday, growing closer together and they are working together as a team to help provide a free, stable environment for the Iraqi civilians," he said.

Kleinholz said he was impressed with the persistence of Iraqi police, who did not initially find their target, but nonetheless kept searching the neighborhood.

"They had a never quit attitude," he said.

It is that sort of attitude which assures coalition forces that once they are gone, Iraqi security forces will be able to keep the Iraqi people safe.

In reality, the U.S. Soldiers were there to provide expertise as the ISF conducted the operation. Although Harbridge does not discount the fact that there is hard work ahead, he remains confident.

"(We) are helping them get better so that they can take over this fight themselves. In my opinion we are getting really close to that," he said.