Iraqi and Coalition Soldiers Begin Clearing Operations in the Mansour Security District

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20070322-01

BAGHDAD - Approximately 1,600 Iraqi security forces and coalition force Soldiers began clearing operations in Baghdad’s Mansour Security District March 21 to rid the area of Al Qaeda terrorists and illegal militias. The clearing operations began in southern Ghazaliya and Ameriya neighborhoods.

Iraqi security forces partnered with coalition Soldiers conducted precision raids this morning against multiple known terrorist targets and then quickly transitioned to clearing neighborhoods house by house looking for terrorist support zones and illegal weapons caches. They spoke with the local citizens to hear their concerns and gather information to better support the continuing Baghdad Security Operation known as Operation Fardh Al Qanoon.

Over the course of the operation, Iraqi security forces detained 20 individuals for further questioning and coalition forces detained 11 individuals. Two weapons caches were discovered with containers of nitric acid and chlorine.

The operation coined as Arrowhead Strike Nine included approximately 500 Iraqi security forces from 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division; 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division; 4th Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division; and 5th Battalion, 2nd National Police Brigade. Nearly 1,100 U.S Army Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division were also involved in the operation.