Iraqi special operations forces bring kidnapped boy home to family

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

05.14.2009

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

BAGHDAD — Under the cover of night an element of the Iraqi special operations forces recovered a young kidnap victim being held for ransom in the Iraqi capital during an early-morning, Iraqi-led operation on May 13.

Operating under the authority of a warrant issued by the Counterterrorism Bureau, the Iraqi soldiers recovered the boy and arrested his captors in hopes of disrupting the kidnap-for-ransom cell operating in the Baghdad area.

During the Iraqi and U.S. intelligence-driven mission, according to military reports, the ground troops secured the hostage taker's house and questioned the residents suspected of working for the kidnap-for-ransom cell. The report also stated that as a result of questioning the suspects, the Soldiers then moved to the alleged criminal's place of work where they subsequently apprehended him.

The Iraqi commander who oversaw the operation said that the Soldiers who carried out the hostage rescue mission were determined to bring the child home to his family. The boy was taken from his family for personal monetary gains on May 11.

It was two days of waiting for the family members and two days of threats for the kidnapped child in an unfamiliar place.

Although those days were painful, the father of the child said that a houseful of relatives comforted his family throughout the ordeal. He added that his extended family helped him stay calm while the Soldiers of the ISOF provided him with hope.

After commanding his troops on the ground for hours, the battalion commander recalled being overwhelmed with a sense of relief and happiness when his men took possession of the child because it was in that moment he knew the 8-year-old was finally safe.

"I felt extremely happy and at the same time I felt like crying," said the father describing how he felt when he was reunited with his son. "I gave thanks to God and thanks to the Soldiers for bringing my son home."

"We are very grateful for the Iraqi soldiers for saving him," added a close relative of the boy.

Any terrorists in our area who think they are above the law will intimately get an opportunity to know the strength that the Iraqi counterterrorism forces possess, the battalion commander within the ISOF Brigade declared. Especially those who choose to involve innocent children, he explained.

"I was very happy because I am a father too," explained the Iraqi commander. He expressed his empathy he has for the situation in which families like this one find themselves. "We have been doing this job for six years now."

According to the coalition adviser, the ISOF element's experience and training was evident in the successful completion of this hostage rescue operation.

"Hundreds of hours are spent on fire discrimination drills, honing the ability to make the correct decisions at the crisis point," added a U.S. adviser to the mission. "Tonight, the ICTF proved once again, that they are excellent tacticians and completely capable of accomplishing the task required in their charter."

The battalion commander said this is not the first time this counterterrorism element has conducted an operation to bring home a kidnap victim and because of their unyielding dedication to the people of Iraq they stand ready to handle any situation that arises.

• Date Taken: 05.14.2009
• Date Posted: 05.14.2009 10:49
• Story ID: 33611
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ