Iraqis move as one near Baqubah

Photo By Capt. Richard Ybarra | U.S. Army Maj. Ralph Archetti, a member of the 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division Military Transition Team, stands side-by-side with his Iraqi counterparts while observing the IA "Scorpion" Brigade in action during Operation "K." Iraqi army, Iraqi police and concerned nationals combined efforts to conduct a raid against a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq stronghold southeast of Skook, Sept. 2.  

BAQUBAH, IRAQ

09.04.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Force Iraq Public Affairs

Multi-National Division – North Public Affairs

BAQUBAH, Iraq – The 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division conducted Operation "K," Sept. 2, with Iraqi police and concerned local nationals (CLN) southeast of Baqubah, near the village of Skook, against a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq stronghold, detaining 11 men and seizing a weapons cache, without a single casualty.

The assault was carried out by over 150 Iraqi soldiers and fifteen Iraqi army combat vehicles. Iraqi police secured roads leading into and out of the area near Skook shortly before the start of the operation, according to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian J. Cummins of the 1st Brigade Military Transition Team. Cummins is assigned to the 1st Brigade to advise the leadership and coordinate with coalition forces.

Brig. Gen. Gallian Kadhim, commander of the 1st Brigade, also known as the "Scorpion Brigade," stated, "You can see the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and citizens of Diyala working together. The mission was entirely a surprise to the enemy, as one, we can strike out anywhere in the province that is required."

Kadhim added that coalition assistance had been helpful and appreciated.

U.S. Army aviation and artillery support were available if needed by Iraqi troops but were not required.

The operation was conceived from intelligence gathered by the CLN group in Kana'an as well as the Shamouri Tribe, which is the largest tribal group in the area. The operation displayed a level of trust and cooperation among

We want to live in peace, but we must work together to fight the terrorists, who have harmed us all, said Sheik Ahmed Huassne, leader of the Shamouri Tribe. Huassne added that he had advised his tribesmen to be wary of all extremist organizations as they cause division and strife.

"As the situation has stabilized in Baqubah, the Iraqi army has been able to focus outside the city. Individual citizens, CLN, and tribes such as the Shamouri have grown tired of violence and al-Qaida. They came to us and said they wanted to stop the violence and we made a commitment to help them," Cummins said.

• Date Taken: 09.04.2007
• Date Posted: 09.05.2007 13:42
• Story ID: 12202
• Location: BAQUBAH, IQ