Photo By Spc. Ryan Elliott | An Iraqi army Soldier unloads and collects mortar rounds that were discovered in and...... read more read more
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By Spc. Ryan Elliott
14th Public Affairs Detachment
COMBAT OUTPOST ZAGANIYAH, Iraq - Charlie Battery, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment along with Soldiers from the Iraqi army took part in a clearing operation outside of Combat Outpost Zaganiyah in the densely packed palm groves.
An entire Iraqi army company along with members of the Sons of Iraq from three different Iraqi towns took part in the palm grove clearing operation, said Capt. Charles Knoll, Charlie Battery, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
"The city of Bukais used to be an Al Qaida strong hold in northern Iraq," said 1st Sgt. Richard Perez, Charlie Battery, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. "The AQI were using their position to terrorize and intimidate the innocent people who lived in the city," said Perez.
Coalition forces along with Iraq army and the Sons of Iraq were able to push the Al Qaida presence out of the city, said Knoll. The AQI took up sanctuary in the palm groves that surround the city.
The thick foliage provides an ideal location for the AQI to hide caches of weapons and conduct operations out of, said Perez.
The palm grove clearing operation is a fairly regularly conducted operation, said Perez. It's important to clear out the AQI presence out of the groves every so often and not allow them to feel comfortable operating in our area of operation.
"The Iraqis are taking the lead on this operation," said Knoll. "The Iraqi army and SoI are going to be the tip of the spear on this operation. The American forces are here in a purely supportive role."
Two platoons from Fires Brigade were stationed in blocking positions around the palm groves, isolating the objective, as the Iraqi forces swept through, said Staff Sgt. Ronis Gutierrez, Platoon Sergeant, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
In the course of the operation three AQI were killed, said Gutierrez. Over 46 mortars were found in different weapons caches spread out across the palm grove.
Once we eliminate the AQI presence it will allow the coalition forces to focus on providing and building basic service for the people of the adjacent areas, said Knoll.
"The Iraqis really took the fight to the AQI here today," said Knoll. "They are still learning some basic infantry tactics, but they apply them successfully," said Gutierrez.
"The Iraqi army is beginning to come up with their own plans and conduct their own missions independent of coalition forces," said Knoll. That is a good indicator of their willingness to take on the broader responsibility of providing security for their own people.
"The Iraqi army Soldiers are very professional, and they are very eager to take their country back from the AQI and other insurgent groups," said Perez.
| Date Taken: | 10.02.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2008 04:38 |
| Story ID: | 24402 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 416 |
| Downloads: | 328 |
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