Multinational Corps Iraq
Iraqi Army and Coalition forces conducted a raid based on a tip from a local citizen, and discovered 42 individuals at an al-Qaeda in Iraq hideout six miles south of Baquba, Iraq Sunday.
During the raid Soldiers from 5th Iraqi Army Division and U.S. Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered the men, who claimed to have been held captive by al-Qaeda. Some claimed to have been held as long as four months.
A joint air and ground operation, lead by the 5th IAD, was launched to locate the alleged AQI hideout after receiving information from a local citizen.
The individuals, who were found in a small, concrete and mud compound located approximately one-half mile west of the village, were sleeping in cramped rooms on dirty blankets and pillows, according to Coalition Forces present at the site.
Soldiers also described the surroundings as having rotting food inside the building and outside on the ground.
The men were transported by Coalition Forces to a nearby combat outpost for further medical evaluation. The individuals were provided with food and water and were questioned about their abductors’ whereabouts.
There was evidence of torture and some had broken bones.
“This is one more example of how al-Qaeda treats the citizens of Iraq – and we mean ALL the citizens, not based along sectarian lines or any other lines,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher C. Garver, a Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman. “This is another example of why we must win this fight against al- Qaeda.”
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