| FOB RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq, July 29, 2006 - Multi-National
Division - Baghdad soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor
Regiment, serving with 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division, in a precision operation, captured a high-value
terrorist and several of his top lieutenants Tuesday in New Baghdad
as part of Operation Together Forward. The suspects taken
into custody are believed to be key players in kidnappings that
result in murder as well as deadly roadside bombings. Operation Together Forward, an operation designed by the Iraqi government and Multi-National Division - Baghdad, concentrates on disrupting murders, kidnappings and bombings throughout Baghdad. Several of the detained suspects jumped from rooftop to rooftop in an unsuccessful attempt to avoid capture. The MND-B soldiers detained a total of 13 suspects and recovered numerous documents, two AK-47 semi-automatic rifles and a light machinegun. Evidence indicates the primary suspect allegedly controls numerous caches within the Fedalayah and Kamaliyah areas. Additionally, this group is believed to be responsible for attacks against residents of east Baghdad as well as controlling sectarian violence and murders in the New Baghdad Area. "This operation was the culmination of many months of hard work on the part of the battalion," said LTC Mark Bertolini, commander, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment. "It illustrates the professionalism and dedication of our soldiers, who were able to remove high-level terrorists without firing a single shot and proves our effectiveness in executing precision offensive operations based on intelligence gathered and refined at the company and battalion level." None of the suspected terrorists or the soldiers were injured during this operation. |
