Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces Discover Cache, Kills Seven AIF

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20061221-07


Multi-National Division – North PAO

BAQUBAH, Iraq – Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army, with support from 1-12Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, killed seven terrorists, detained three suspected terrorists and discovered a cache while conducting operations in the Chubianat area of Baqubah, Tuesday.

Col. David Sutherland, commander of 3-1 Cav. and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province, said he believes this terrorist cell is responsible for the kidnappings and violence throughout the Baqubah markets.

While conducting ongoing operations to eliminate terrorists and insurgents from the Baqubah area and provide a secure and safe environment for the people of the region, soldiers from 2-5 IA were involved in several small arms fire attacks. Anti-Iraqi forces killed one Iraqi Army soldier and wounded seven.

With assistance from a coalition forces air weapons team, seven terrorists were killed during the attacks and an additional three suspected terrorists were detained.While conducting patrols, members of the 2-5 IA discovered a cache consisting of rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds, mortar fuses and other improvised explosive device material.

“All of these munitions were going to be used against the Iraqi Security Forcesand the people of Diyala,” Sutherland said.

A coalition forces explosive ordinance disposal unit arrived on site to conduct a controlled detonation.

“This operation is ongoing evidence that the 5th Iraqi Army is conducting intelligence-driven, evidence-based operations,” he said.

“Holding the Iraqi Army accountable for their performance is why the opening of two radio stations in Baqubah and Balad Ruz over the last two days is so important. It provides transparency of the IA to the people through news and information,”Sutherland said.