ISF, CF Ensure Baqouba Safe for Local Residents

With more proof available that the enemy is only interested in generating headlines Iraqi Security Forces in conjunction with Coalition Forces searched Baqouba for booby-trapped houses, making sure the residences were safe for civilians to occupy:

Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces continued to methodically clear booby-trapped structures on July 1st as Operation Arrowhead Ripper entered its 13th day.

As ISF and CF continue to clear al-Qaeda out of Baqouba, they have discovered many booby-trapped structures in the Mujema section of town that were left behind by al-Qaeda as they attempted to flee. These structures, many of which are houses, pose a great threat to the local residents and are too dangerous to be disarmed.

“The house-borne IED threat here is unlike anywhere else in Iraq at the present,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. “We have encountered 24 HBIEDs in the past 11 days.”

Another heartless and cowardly attempt by al-Qaida against the people of Iraq. When al-Qaeda rigs these homes with explosives, it not only deprives Iraqi families of a place to live but also endangers the entire neighborhood. Since the beginning of the operation, 24 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed. Additionally, at least 60 al-Qaida operatives have been killed, 134 have been detained, 45 weapons caches have been discovered and 96 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed.

Freedom fighters indeed....murderers is more like it.