CF liberate two from al-Qaida prison/torture chamber in Diyala

Photo By John Crosby | An al-Qaida torture chamber found by Soldiers of Troop C, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., held 14 prisoners at one time, according to the two victims liberated from the cell Jan. 20. Prisoners were bound and beaten with cables and wires and had guns pointed at their head by members of al-Qaida in Iraq.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

01.21.2008

Story by Spc. John Crosby 

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

BAQUBAH, Iraq – Coalition forces liberated two Iraqi males with signs of torture from an al-Qaida prison/torture chamber near Arab Jabar, south of Baqubah, Diyala province, Iraq, in the early morning hours of Jan. 20.

Soldiers of 2-1 Cavalry, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash., discovered the building, which was closed off by a heavy, deadbolt-locked door. The Soldiers were clearing the area of AQI in support of Operation Raider Harvest, the Diyala province portion of Phantom Phoenix – a country-wide offensive to rid Iraq of insurgents.

"We could hear voices inside the room," said Spc. Christopher Nollenberg, a cavalry scout with 2-1 CAV., who was one of the first to enter the chamber. "They called out for help and told us they were prisoners."

Inside were two adult male prisoners. Both were contracted by coalition forces as electricians to install power lines. They had bruises on their backs and legs. Soldiers found braided wire cords, cables and a strap hooked to the ceiling used to hold the prisoners while they were beaten.

The liberated prisoners were transported to Forward Operating Base Warhorse for medical treatment, meals and questioning.

The two males were kidnapped by al-Qaida gunmen while driving to visit family in Baqubah on Jan. 9. They were bound and blindfolded and taken to the prison chamber. They were routinely beaten and questioned during their first three days of captivity. AQI operatives asked the men for names of Concerned Local Citizens group members in their towns, and also asked them who in the area supports the CLCs and who wants to join CLCs.

Rifles were pointed at their heads and knives held to their throats. They were threatened daily and told they would be killed. One male was beaten over the head with a pistol. Both men were bound and struck repeatedly with cables. They were fed rice with dates and one cup of dirty water a day, according to the liberated prisoners.

There were 14 prisoners detained in the al-Qaida chamber at one time. The other 12 prisoners were either killed or released, according to the liberated prisoners.

"These people (AQI) don't deserve to live," said one victim. "I will remember for the rest of my life the day that coalition forces gave me a second chance to live."

The victims were released from FOB Warhorse and reunited with their families the afternoon of Jan. 20.

• Date Taken: 01.21.2008
• Date Posted: 01.21.2008 11:48
• Story ID: 15613
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ