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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
RELEASE No. 20080213-01
February 13, 2008

Paratroopers target criminal elements; detain 25
Multi-National Division – Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers targeting criminal elements detained 25 individuals  during a series of coordinated operations Feb. 11 in the Sabak Sur, a neighborhood in northeast Baghdad.
 
Paratroopers with the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, conducted the operations, which were designed to root out criminal elements  from an area that has recently emerged as a safe haven for  Special Groups.
 
The operations  were initiated from tips provided by local residents, said Maj. Trey Rutherford, executive officer for the 2nd Bn., 325th AIR, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B.
 
“Locals are tired of the violence, extortion and intimidation by Special Group criminals. They are reaching out to help the Government of Iraq to target these individuals,” Rutherford said.
 
Rutherford said the detained individuals are suspected of multiple mortar attacks and explosively formed penetrator attacks against Coalition Forces as well as the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi civilians.
 
He said they were also involved in intimidation and attacks on members of the Iraqi Police, Iraqi National Police and the Sons of Iraq volunteer security force.
 
Rutherford said the detention of 25 criminal elements in a single night would have a significant impact on the safety and security of residents in Sabak Sur.
 
There were no casualties or damage to civilian structures reported.
 
“The people of Iraq are standing up to those who refuse to honor al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr’s ceasefire pledge,” said Col. Bill Buckner, MNC-I spokesman. “We will continue to work with local citizens and Iraqi security forces to identify these criminal elements and bring them to justice.”

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