| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq |
| Soldiers, Iraqis clear out al-Qaeda along Tigris |
| 2007-09-14 |
| Coalition troops teamed with Iraqi policemen and concerned local citizens to rid a major road of improvised-explosive devices and al-Qaeda cell members during a two-day operation in Tuwaitha. The purpose of the mission was to not just clear the route, but also to establish an Iraqi capability to keep the route safe for civilian and military traffic. Capt. Brian Gilbert of Boise, Idaho, commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, currently attached to 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, was met by about 60 citizen volunteers at his company’s combat outpost at the outset of the operation. The volunteers from Tuwaitha then led his Soldiers south into the village of Tuwaitha as they provided additional eyes during the route clearance. This was in stark contrast to the reception 3-1 Cav. Regt. Soldiers had previously received in Tuwaitha. “When they (3-1 Cav. Regt.) went down there before, the citizens were very non-compliant; no waving, no smiling,” Gilbert said. “There was nobody willing to fight (terrorists) and they encountered multiple IEDs.” After clearing the route, Soldiers worked with volunteers and policemen from the 1st National Police Brigade to establish checkpoints with blast protection. The checkpoints will be manned by national policemen and Iraqi civilian volunteers from the local concerned citizens’ group. Concerned citizens groups are made up of volunteers who commit to work with Coalition Forces to decrease violence in their neighborhoods. By manning the checkpoints, Iraqi Security Forces and local citizens will be better able to monitor and control traffic around Tuwaitha. Leaders from 3-1 Cav. Regt. are optimistic that national police and concerned citizens will help reduce violence in Tuwaitha following the expulsion of al-Qaeda elements from the area. As night approached during the two-day operation, local citizens provided an empty house for the Soldiers to rest in and contributed personnel for security patrols throughout the night. Soldiers were also treated to meals provided by the local populace. The route into Tuwaitha had been a dangerous stretch of road for Sledgehammer Brigade Soldiers, with a history of roadside bombs. The clearing operation resulted in the discovery and neutralization of four IEDs along the route. Soldiers and Iraqis found two anti-tank mines, one mortar round and one large homemade explosive device in plastic containers. Traveling on the road into Tuwaitha from Jisr Diyala has been a dangerous proposition for both Soldiers and citizens. In the days following the mission, Gilbert received feedback that citizens are now able to travel to Jisr Diyala to shop for the first time in six months. Gilbert said he believes the common threat of al-Qaeda prompted the Tuwaitha citizens’ desire to work with the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Soldiers. “Al-Qaeda is a threat to the locals and also a threat to U.S. Soldiers,” Gilbert said. “They wanted us to come down there and fight with them. So we did.” Gilbert said 3-1 Cav. Regt. plans to clear out greater numbers of insurgents and help legitimize more concerned citizens groups. “Now that they have cleared out AQI and established concerned citizens’ groups, we can provide medical operations and projects that will provide enduring employment,” Gilbert said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 Soldiers worked with volunteers and policemen from the 1st National Police Brigade to establish checkpoints with blast protection. The checkpoints will be manned by national policemen and Iraqi civilian volunteers Are these the same National Police that are supposed to be disbanded? Maybe they aren't so bad after all. Al |
| Posted by: Frozen Al 2007-09-14 10:57 |
| #2 That is something that just sounds good: "concerned local citizens" and "local Iraqi volunteers". |
| Posted by: Heriberto Ulusomble6667 2007-09-14 10:34 |
| #1 You know, if couch potatoes can help find Steve Fossett using Google maps, why the hell can't we all band together to help find IEDs along the Tigris? |
| Posted by: Jack is Back! 2007-09-14 09:08 |