U.S. soldiers late Thursday launched one of the biggest raids since the American-led war was started, arresting 13 Iraqis wanted for bombing or shooting at coalition forces in Saddam Hussein's hometown. More than 300 soldiers launched a series of raids on 20 houses and three shops across half of this city shortly before midnight Thursday seeking 18 men and teenagers suspected of attacking U.S. soldiers. Thirteen Iraqis were taken into U.S. military custody early Friday for interrogation. Some of those detained were brothers.
Since April, insurgents in Tikrit have killed five American soldiers and wounded 52, making the city one of the toughest places for coalition forces to control following the collapse of Saddam's three decade-long dictatorship. ``We see this as a good sweep of the area,'' said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, commander of the U.S. Army's Tikrit-based 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division. Assisting Russell's soldiers in the raids, which The Associated Press accompanied, were helicopters, Bradley fighting vehicles and humvees.
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Men and teenage boys were dragged out of their homes by soldiers into the drizzly Tikrit streets during the overnight curfew. Of those caught up in the sweep, nine were later turned over to Iraqi police after being found to have played no role in the attacks on U.S. forces. ``Tikrit will be a safer place tomorrow as a result'' of these operations, Russell said after returning to the U.S. Army base following the four hour-long operation. He said the operation had targeted individuals ``operating in a cell ... involved in attacks on coalition forces'' and counterfeiting identification papers, including fake police identity cards. Other items involved in bomb making, including wireless door bells commonly used as triggers to detonate roadside bombs, plus computers and a handful of weapons were seized. |