MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD
4th Infantry Division
CAMP LIBERTY
BAGHDAD, IRAQ
APO AE 09344

May 27, 2006
Release A060527c

Iraqi security forces quell sectarian skirmishes, restore order

FOB KALSU, Iraq – Approximately 500 Iraqi Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, supported by Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad's 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and more than 100 Iraqi police led by Brig. Gen. Qais Hamza, Babil provincial police chief, conducted a raid May 24 in the Ubaydah region of Southern Lutafiyah in response to reports of kidnappings and increased sectarian violence in the area.

Operation Chepultepec was entirely Iraqi planned and led based on intelligence developed in collaboration with various Iraqi Security Force units, said Maj. Curt Taylor, operations officer, 2-8 Inf. Regt. Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces provided the outer cordon around the 80 square kilometer area while the Iraqi Army advanced to their objective to drive the terrorists from the region.

The combined forces encountered resistance from the armed terrorists, but quickly quelled the fighting.

The Iraqi Army detained 12 suspects and captured several enemy weapons, including a mortar tube with six projectiles and bomb-making materials.

In an area near the fighting, the Iraqi Army Soldiers also uncovered a weapon cache consisting of a 12.7-millimeter DShK machine gun with 150 rounds.

The Ubaydah region has been plagued in recent months by the escalation of sectarian and tribal strife.

“This operation demonstrates the bravery of the Iraqi Soldier and their solemn commitment to uphold the rule of law and to restore order in the area,” said Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div .

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS NCO IN CHARGE, MASTER SGT ERIC LOBSINGER AT: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .