Iraqi security forces and Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division have been conducting Operation Together Forward, a combined Iraqi –U.S. operation focused on areas of the city at risk for violence, said Col. Michael Beech, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Beech said more than 5,000 Soldiers have been conducting focused operations in mahalas, or city districts, of the Al-Doura area. He said every home and business within the targeted mahalas is being searched. “The purpose of our operations is to significantly and radically reduce the amount of murders, kidnappings, assassinations and sectarian violence,” Beech said.
Brig. Gen. Obd al-Karim, commander of the 6th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, said the operation has both military and political components. “As for the political part, we went out of our way to actually meet with the imams and religious leaders. We also met with the district advisory council of the Rasheed district. Our main goals are to re-establish security in this (Al-Doura) area. The second goal is to provide essential services to the residents. The third goal is to stop migration of residents and bring back those who have been forced out of their homes,” al-Karim said.
Al-Karim listed weapons, explosives and stolen vehicles seized in the operation thus far and said 38 suspected insurgents, including three foreign fighters, have been detained. He said an improvised explosive device facility was also discovered.
The Iraqi commander said he has spoken with residents of the neighborhood throughout the operation. “Most are comfortable and actually very glad of the operations and security we are providing in the area,” he said.
Beech said the Al-Doura sweep is only a part of the operation to quell the violence in the city. “What we’re doing here in (Al) Doura is one small piece of a much larger and broader operation that’s going on across Baghdad,” Beech said.