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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070819-05
August 19, 2007

Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces conduct air assault raid
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, conducted an air assault operation in the village of Golden Hills near Balad Aug 18.
 
During the operation, Iraqi forces acted on intelligence reports and entered the Hay al-Qayum Mosque which is reportedly being used as a terrorist meeting place.  Intelligence has also shown that terrorists are using the mosque as a safe haven for improvised explosive device construction and that the area around the mosque is being used for training and cache emplacement.
 
The targeted terrorist cell was suspected of indirect fire attacks on Coalition Forces and attacks on the Said Mohammed Shrine.  Additionally, it is reported that the terrorist cell is responsible for the kidnappings of local Iraqis as a means to finance its operations. 
 
The purpose of the raid was to disrupt insurgent operations and deny sanctuary to insurgent forces. The primary targeted individual of the raid was not present; however, Iraqi Army soldiers confiscated nine bolt-action rifles, an AK-47 assault rifle and one general purpose machine gun from inside the mosque.
 
No Iraqi or U.S. Special Forces were injured during the mission.

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