Diyala Citizen's Continue to Turn In Al-Qaeda Members Hiding in Their Area

In what can only be describes as a further setback for al-Qaida operatives in Diyala, Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces, using tips from local citizens, targeted al-Qaida operatives outside Diyala’s provincial capital July 11, in a continued effort to deny any safe-haven to the terrorist group:

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, and 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Operation Ithaca, targeting al-Qaida operatives near the villages of Haimer, Abu Nasim, and Jamil, Iraq, resulting in 29 al-Qaida gunmen killed, 23 detained, eight hostages released, two weapons caches discovered and a safe house destroyed.

“This operation was vital as we continue to deny al-Qaida freedom of movement and space,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander. “In Diyala, the enemy has no safe haven; and our forces are committed to aid the Iraqi Security Forces in their fight to provide a safe and secure environment for the people.”

25th Combat Aviation Brigade helicopters kicked off the operation early Thursday morning with Soldiers from Company B, 5-73 Cav. conducting an air assault into the objective areas. Throughout the operation, Soldiers identified numerous gunmen moving along the palm groves and water canals attempting to escape.


An al-Qaida safe house was also identified with gunmen moving in and out of the building. 25th CAB attack helicopters engaged and killed the gunmen fleeing the area along canals and palm groves, and helped destroy the safe house with Hellfire missiles.

“The success of this operation would not have been possible without the people of these villages who are now turning against al-Qaida,” Sutherland said. “More and more, the people and tribes are becoming disgusted and disillusioned with what al-Qaida offers. They are forming local resistance groups to guard their neighborhoods and deny the enemy any freedom of movement.”

The actions of the locals, tipping off US and Iraqi units so the location of Al-Qaeda operatives, not only shows that the people are determined to defeat Al Qaeda in Iraq, but it is also proof that the people are gaining confidence in the Iraqi and Coalition Forces to provide them a safe and secure environment.

As more and more locals realize that the US is not here to steal all they have, unlike Al-Qaeda and local militias, they are stepping forward and supporting US forces and the mission in Iraq. Each time this happens we take a step closer to the dy when we can call all of them Iraqi's and not identify them by there tribal and religious definitions. Sunni and Shia are working together in Diyala providence to rid Iraq of the enemy and secure it for Iraqis.