Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070622-02
June 22, 2007

MND-B Soldiers detain 18 in raids
By Maj. Randall Baucom
1st BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers conducted three raids in northwestern Baghdad, detaining 18 suspects as well as weapons and equipment June 21.

Soldiers from the 1st “Ironhorse” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conducted three early morning raids, targeting terrorist cells believed responsible for improvised explosive attacks in the region.

“We continue to apply pressure to al-Qaeda and anti-Iraqi forces by capturing them and eliminating the safe havens from which these terrorists operate,” said Austin, Texas native Lt. Col. Peter Andrysiak, the deputy commander for the Ironhorse Brigade. “The surge has allowed us to keep an increased presence in the rural area of northwest Baghdad, so we can provide improved security for the people in this region.”

Soldiers from Battery C, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery conducted an air assault raid on a residence determined, by intelligence sources, to be an insurgent safe house near the town of Shammar Jarba. Four suspects were detained for questioning, including those suspected to be responsible for IED attacks on Highway 1, as well as, assisting in IED attacks in the Taji area.

Near the village of Al Awad, Scouts from Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment conducted a dismounted raid on a suspected insurgent safe house. Inside the home, the Soldiers detained five suspects, including one suspect believed to be responsible for coordinating car bomb attacks against Coalition Forces in an area west of Taji, Iraq.  The troops also seized a high-powered rifle with a scope, a pistol, a rocket-propelled grenade scope and a flare gun.

West of Kem village, Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment conducted a dismounted raid on another suspected safe house.  Nine suspects were detained in this operation. 

All of the suspects are being detained for further questioning.

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