1st Lt. Dahbry Streets
2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div.
BAGHDAD - Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and Multi-National Division - Baghdad's 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, have executed multiple air-assault operations in the past four days within the Al Rashid district to counter terrorist cell leaders.
The air assault missions were executed at night while soldiers from 3rd Bn., 1st Bde., 6th IAD secured Arba"een and the tens of thousands of religious pilgrims along a major highway as they traveled on their pilgrimage to Karbala.
"We are happy to assist the Iraqi people in their movement through our AO," said Cpt. Robert Stoffel of Task Force 1-22. "The Iraqi Army from 3/1/6 were even handing out water at one of the checkpoints along Highway 8."
The journey of the pilgrims to Karbala is a sacred pilgrimage in which people from all across Iraq converge on one of the most important Shia holy sites by walking and driving.
For many years, the pilgrimage was prohibited by the Saddam Hussein regime. Now liberated from the regime, the Iraqi people once again have the freedom to travel to Karbala and worship in a manner that at least two generations of their families had been denied.
Along with ensuring the safety of the Arba"een pilgrims, units from 1-22 Inf. Regt. and 3rd Bn., 1st Bde., 6th IAD, conducted multiple missions in the Al Rashid District of southern Baghdad that led to the capture of a large number of terrorist cell members.
Two air-assault missions netted terrorist cell leaders, their accomplices and a number of small-arms weapons and improvised-explosive device making materials. A second operation occurred simultaneously along the Tigris River Valley that led to the capture of fourteen insurgent cell members.
"This pilgrimage signifies more than just a walk to Karbala," said Spc. D"Adran Bryant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Inf. Regt. "This represents a significant chapter in Iraqi history, one in which the Iraqi army became capable of providing for the security of its countrymen."
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2006 12:59 |
| Story ID: | 5966 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 554 |
| Downloads: | 381 |
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