January 25, 2007

Iraqi Army Stops Illegal Checkpoint After Tip From Resident

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20070125-04

By Capt. David Levasseur
2nd BCT, 1st Inf. Div. PAO

BAGHDAD — A tip from a local citizen to an Iraqi Army unit enabled them to stop an illegal checkpoint in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Ghazaliyah Jan. 24.

Shortly after noon, an unidentified Iraqi phoned Company C, 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army stating that a number of men had set up an illegal checkpoint in a southern Ghazaliyah neighborhood. A patrol was dispatched to the area and upon arrival was engaged by AK-47 and pistol fire. The patrol returned fire but was unable to prevent the escape of the terrorists.

The patrol did confiscate a black Daewoo sedan and a motorcycle left behind when the terrorists fled. Illegal checkpoints are common in this neighborhood. They are often used to initiate sectarian violence by asking for the identification cards of passing motorists to identify those of an opposing sect.

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