U.S. Begins Humanitarian Aid Efforts In Baquba
ISF and CF Deliver Food and Water to People in Baqouba
Operation Arrowhead Ripper entered its fifth day Saturday, with Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Lightning continuing to conduct combined operations in and around Baqouba, Iraq, to rid the city of al-Qaida.
In addition to combat operations, Iraqi Security Forces and the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, delivered truckloads of rice, flour and school supplies to Baqouba residents Saturday.
Iraqi soldiers distributed 20,000 pounds of rice and flour, along with 300 cases of water, to an estimated 1,500 Baqouba residents. The provisions were dropped off within 96 hours of beginning combat operations.
“The mission was a success largely due to the compassion of the Iraqi soldiers who led the mission,” said Lt. Col. Fred Johnson, deputy commanding officer of 3-2 SBCT. “3-2 SBCT Soldiers provided outer security, but the Iraqi Army and police did the heavy lifting passing out the food and water and also provided local security. I think it’s important to note that it was the Iraqi soldiers who first identified the need to provide food to the locals after talking to the citizens about their situation. Many of the locals were especially appreciative because food had been scarce when al-Qaida controlled the neighborhoods.”
The 5th Iraqi Army, in cooperation with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, conducted the humanitarian relief effort inside a cordon formed around western Baqouba.
In the Khatoon neighborhood, Soldiers from 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division discovered a safe house identified by locals in the area as an illegal courthouse used by al-Qaida. An investigation of the property revealed documentation confirming al-Qaida use of the home to prosecute innocent Iraqis.
The building was located near a suspected torture house, which had been destroyed the day before after it was found to contain saws, drills, explosives and blood stains in several rooms.
Also in Baqouba, ground forces discovered and destroyed a weapons cache near two improvised explosive device sites containing pipe bombs and hand grenades.
Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 58 al-Qaida operatives have been killed, 40 have been detained, 16 weapons caches have been discovered, 28 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed and 12 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.
Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq
Be respectful of others and their opinions. Inflammatory remarks and inane leftist drivel will be deleted. It ain’t about free speech, remember you’re in a private domain. My website, my prerogative.
If you can't handle using your real email address, don't bother posting a comment.
How wonderful that the iraqis are taking the lead, and how wonderful our guys are helping.
June 25th, 2007 at 2:30 amI think the Iraqi’s fear (understandable) is finally fading, and the courage is growing. I hope, for their sake and ours, they continue to emerge to help themselves … and our troops in this fight for the future.
June 25th, 2007 at 6:13 amHopefully it goes beyond an overcoming of fear and grows into the fact that the population knows that it is responsible for the society in which they live. That they do not have to subjugate themselves to a dictatorial power for a ‘functioning ‘ system of government.
A democracy is actually a grassroots organization and I think there are signs we are seeing the grass grow.
Amid the terror and violence there is beauty in the growth of a society rising from bondage.
Godspeed
June 25th, 2007 at 7:50 amGod I hope you’re right Steve.
June 25th, 2007 at 8:59 amBet you that pic never appears in any MSM pub? This is America at it’s finest. We don’t conquer people, we liberate them and hand their government back to it’s rightful owners…the people themselves.
I’ll just bet you, long after we leave, many an Iraqi child and woman will long for the days when AMERIKI was there.
Great job people. Another excellent report Pat.
June 25th, 2007 at 9:02 amRemember the “Hearts & Minds Campaign”? In the beginning it was fought with one Iraqi at a time. Word is traveling faster with a much larger audience. Looks like we won.
Cheers
June 25th, 2007 at 1:15 pmwe never see this in the msm which is why we have polticians , left and right, casting doubt on the operations: next up to bat: republican richard lugar of indiana saying the surge isnt working. I used to live in indiana. I emailed him and told him I am not voting for him again. Pussy!
June 25th, 2007 at 8:34 pmAh! more baby killers from the US, huh Murtha
June 25th, 2007 at 8:42 pmI just wish muslims would start to understand the fact that christians and jews have no problem giving charity to unbelievers and then question why it is they dont do the same and that in fact they are to look down on us, not trust us, hurt or even kill us if necessary. I understand why some people dont like christian evangelists because they are pushy but the only way to convert these muslims( and i dont necessarily mean religiously) is by such actions as these. help them reject the racist, sexist and antisemitic teachings of islam.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:55 am