FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070920-13
September 20, 2007

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

DIYALA, Iraq – Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces aggressively targeted and pursued al-Qaeda elements in Diyala province, in support of 25th Infantry Division’s Operation Lightning Hammer II, a division-wide operation to deny terrorist elements the ability to harm the population.

“Through Operations Arrowhead Ripper, Lightning Hammer and most recently, Lightning Hammer II, the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces have made it clear that al-Qaida has no home in Diyala and will be persistently targeted,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.

The operations, which began Sept. 4 in Diyala and focused on Baqouba, Muqdadiya and Balad Ruz, resulted in 34 terrorists killed, 28 suspected terrorists detained, 17 weapons caches discovered, three vehicle-borne and six house-borne improvised explosive devices discovered and destroyed, and 44 IEDs reduced.

“Al-Qaeda is on the run and is attempting to conduct attacks as a systemic response to our offensive operations,” Sutherland said. “Ultimately, they will fail and be brought to justice,” he continued.

Soldiers from the 5th Iraqi Army Division, partnered with Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted simultaneous, continuous operations across Diyala to deny al-Qaeda freedom of movement and remove their support bases.
Operation Saber Hammer II, an ongoing operation which began Sept. 17 in the Muqdadiya region, played a large role in the overall operation throughout the province.

Through a very thorough and detailed search in villages, such as Baloor and Hy al Askry, Soldiers from 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron and 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, have successfully disrupted al-Qaeda in the area by killing 10 terrorists and detaining 14.

Also, Operation Woodshed II, conducted Sept. 19 by Soldiers from 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, targeted enemy south of Balad Ruz, resulting in 12 terrorists killed.

“As operations north, east and west of Baqouba continue, our goal is to provide a stable and secure environment to the people in those regions, thus setting the conditions to allow the government to focus on restoring essential services,” said Sutherland. “Al-Qaeda will not hinder the progress we are seeing in Diyala.”


FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH AT: TFLIGHTNING.PAO-AT-US.ARMY.MIL

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 5th Iraqi Army Division, Diyala, Good News, Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces, Operation Arrowhead Ripper, Operation Lightning Hammer, Operation Woodshed, US Army

Michael Yon brings word that in Baqubah, things are getting quiet:

Today marks D+30 since the start of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. The initial goal of Arrowhead Ripper was to clear Baqubah of al Qaeda, and then attempt to “jump start” the city back into civic life, which had all but ceased while the terrorists were in control. Though relatively minor clearing operations are still underway, there is little combat in the city...


Read the Rest

Labels: Baqubah, Blogwatch, Good News, Iraq, Michael Yon, Operation Arrowhead Ripper

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070711-02
July 11, 2007

Multi-National Division – North PAO

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces discovered an al-Qaida safe house, north of the capital of Diyala province, early this week.

Iraqi Army soldiers and CF Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, found the building while conducting operations north of Baqouba. Inside, the patrol found medical supplies, medical equipment and al-Qaida related propaganda.

Also inside the building was a room with indicators that it had been used as a place of torture, such as blood on the walls and blacked out windows.

One person was detained near the building after locals identified him as being an insurgent.

The Iraqi Soldiers destroyed the medical supplies after finding they were expired.
Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 60 al-Qaeda operatives have been killed, 222 have been detained, 55 weapons caches have been discovered, 125 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed and 24 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH AT: TFLIGHTNING.PAO-AT-US.ARMY.MIL

Labels: 1-12 Infantry, Baqouba, Iraq, Operation Arrowhead Ripper

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 070629-02
June 29, 2007

4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Two Soldiers attached to 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment walk en route to a house in the outskirts of Baqouba to give medical attention to a baby June 23. Soldiers of 2-1 Cav., 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., have sealed off Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. Meanwhile, Soldiers with 4-2 SBCT are meeting with village leaders and rendering medical aid to people in the outlying villages. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


Soldiers investigate a suspicious car in a village on the outskirts of Baqouba June 23. The Soldiers are with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The Co. B Soldiers and Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


Soldiers patrol the outskirts of Baqouba June 23. The Soldiers are with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The Co. B Soldiers and Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


Soldiers fire their weapons from a Mobile Gun System Stryker variant on the outskirts of Baqouba June 23. The Soldiers are with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The Co. B Soldiers and Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


Soldiers patrol the outskirts of Baqouba June 23. The Soldiers are with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The Co. B Soldiers and Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


Soldiers patrol the outskirts of Baqouba June 23 as an Apache helicopter provides air support over head. The Soldiers are with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The Co. B Soldiers and Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


A Soldier guards a door while clearing a building on the outskirts of Baqouba June 23. The Soldiers is with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The Co. B Soldiers and Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


A Soldier walks through the hallways of a school after clearing the building in the western outskirts of Baqouba June 23. The Soldier is with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash. The Co. B Soldiers and Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off the western side of Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


Sgt. 1st Class Mark Roberts guards a gate in a village in the western outskirts of Baqouba June 23. Roberts was securing the site as a Civil Affairs team met with leaders of the village to discuss their civic needs. Soldiers with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash., and Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off the western side of Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. Meanwhile the civil affairs team is trying to gauge and mitigate any difficulties caused by the clearing operation on the local people. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)


A Soldier with Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment secures a house in the western outskirts of Baqouba June 23. Soldiers of 2-1 Cav., 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, from Fort Lewis, Wash., and Soldiers with Company B, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, also with 4-2 SBCT, have sealed off the western side of Baqouba as their sister Stryker Brigade, 3-2 SBCT, also from Fort Lewis, Wash., continues to clear the city of Baqouba in a major offensive known as Arrowhead Ripper launched on the city and its outskirts on June 18. Arrowhead Ripper aims to kill or capture all insurgents in Baqouba by sealing off the city and any avenues of escape. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico)

Labels: 2-1 Cavalry, 4-9 Infantry Regiment, 4SBCT, Baqouba, Iraq, Operation Arrowhead Ripper, photos, US Army

American Forces Press Service

BAQUBAH, Iraq, June 25, 2007 – Iraqi security forces and Task Force Lightning soldiers discovered an execution house and an illegal prison in the Baqubah neighborhood of Khatoon yesterday during the sixth day of Operation Arrowhead Ripper.

The two buildings were in the same area as a torture chamber and illegal courthouse linked to al Qaeda, which were found on the fourth and fifth day of the operation, officials said.

Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, discovered the execution house using information from local citizens, who said it had been used by al Qaeda. Soldiers searching the house found five bodies buried in the yard behind the building and bloody clothes in several rooms inside it.

Located nearby, a house had been converted into an illegal prison, with several numbered rooms and bars covering the building's windows. Several blindfolds were found inside.

Elsewhere in Baqubah, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, identified a house that was filled with explosives and had been booby-trapped. The soldiers cleared the area and destroyed the house through the use of attack aircraft and indirect fire.

"The fact that we continue to find these booby-trapped houses filled with explosives and torture chambers only reaffirms that al Qaeda has no regard for the safety and welfare of the people of Baqubah. They only want to see death and destruction," said Army Col. Gary Patton, chief of staff for Task Force Lightning.

Iraqi and coalition forces also discovered 10 weapons caches throughout Baqubah yesterday. These included four anti-tank mines, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 18 rocket-propelled grenades with boosters, 13 AK-47 assault rifles, nine hand grenades, two flak vests, thousands of rounds of ammunition and a box of al Qaeda propaganda.

Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 58 al Qaeda operatives have been killed, 60 have been detained, 23 weapons caches have been discovered, 52 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed, and 17 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.

(From a Multinational Corps Iraq news release.)


Related Sites:
Multinational Corps Iraq

Labels: Baqubah, Iraq, Operation Arrowhead Ripper, US Army