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Iraqi army buoyed by sweep of rebels
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mahmudiyah, Iraq — Late Saturday night, as Operation Lightning drew to a close after five difficult days, Iraqi soldiers came back to their post with some tangible results of their efforts.
In the cargo bed of each of a dozen brand-new Chevy pickup trucks were five or six suspected insurgents.
The ragged-looking, blindfolded men were hunched down with hands tied and heads bowed, their features spotlighted in the warm desert night by the headlights of the trucks behind them. None of the captives spoke during the slow procession, but scores of off-duty Iraqi soldiers lining the drive hurled taunts and insults at them.
Iraq’s newly minted and largely untested soldiers have been the main targets of a murderous insurgency. Using roadside bombs, suicide bombs and deadly ambushes, insurgents killed more than 700 Iraqis last month, many of them police or military, in addition to 80 American troops.
Now, after the five-day sweep of the cities and towns south of Baghdad involving two Iraqi army brigades, Iraqi soldiers backed by U.S. air and land forces seized tons of explosives and weapons caches, killed 28 suspected insurgents and detained 263 more.
Americans helped plan Operation Lightning and provided much of the hardware and logistical support, including food and water for the Iraqi soldiers. But the Iraqis were up front manning roadblocks and searching houses.
“It was an Iraqi operation,” said Lt. Col. John King, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment, which is taking over the U.S. forward operating base here. “They’re the ones who know the area best, and they can spot people who should and shouldn’t be here. We can’t do that.”
Interrogations were taking place at an Iraqi military base where U.S. soldiers said they had little access.
Human rights advocates have accused the Iraqi army and its U.S. advisers of using harsh interrogation techniques that may include torture. But U.S. officials say Iraq is a sovereign nation and the U.S. military cannot intervene.
For the top Iraqi army officer in this region, who goes only by the name Gen. A. Muhammad, going on the offensive and finding so many suspects was a sweet victory.
“We still need to be wary,” said Muhammad, two of whose sons have been killed in ongoing clashes with insurgents. “But these last few days have been good days.”
King said the sweep was designed to ease the transition as soldiers from the Georgia-based 48th Brigade Combat Team take over responsibility for this restive area within the so-called Sunni Triangle of Death.
But he said previous raids in Baghdad have been followed by quick and deadly insurgent reprisals. The day after Iraqi army raids ended in Baghdad a week ago, insurgents detonated six car bombs in quick succession.
“This puts us on the offensive,” said King, 41, Doraville’s police chief in civilian life. “But we have to ramp up security quickly to make sure there’s no power vacuum. We’re not going to sit still and allow the [anti-Iraqi forces] to return.”
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Comments
By bob
June 6, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this
Dave - have the soldiers you are with heard the rap cd that is covered in newsweek?
what do they do to “get away” or blow off steam.
also - how much time are they out on patrols.. can you take us through a typical day?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8101421/site/newsweek/
By BLF
June 6, 2005 03:04 PM | Link to this
While I applaud the hard work the 48th is doing, I would like to remind the journalists and others, that the “Georgia” units are not the only units within the 48th. There is a unit from Illinois, and a large Unit from Alabama. Had these units not been activated, and assigned to the 48th, it would more than likely not be at full strength to deploy. EVERY soldier is important. Regardless that the Alabama Unit is currently the “redheaded step child” off in BFE. Real “together” command you got there LT Col.
By eric Johnson
June 7, 2005 09:45 AM | Link to this
No doubt, I have 5 friends with the 4th Alabama, 167th infantry out of Talladega/Childersburg. I know that most everyone out of that unit VOLUNTEERED to go over. Most were actually scouts, but they volunteered to be straight up infantry. If you guys are reading this, let me give a shout out to SPC. Scott Novak, SPC. Nathan Russel, SPC. Chris Howard, PFC. Steven Lopez, and SSG Jeremy Birchfield. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone else over there serving their country. Godspeed.
Eric aka Stik
By SAC
June 7, 2005 01:32 PM | Link to this
This comment is in response to BLF’s comment above. How dare you criticize the Lt. Col. assigned to this mission! I think we are all aware that the 48th includes other states than Georgia, but you are reading the ATLANTA JOURNAL AND CONSTITUTION; obviously the AJC’s journalist would focus on its own. Maybe Chicago and Birmingham should send their own reporters over to cover their hometown hero’s as well!
By Ed Clark
June 7, 2005 09:08 PM | Link to this
This journal or blog or whatever it is, is doing a great service to the families and hopefully, the soldiers we cherish so much. I second Eric’s shout out, especially to my nephew, PFC Thomas Clark and my favorite “nephew-in-law”, SSG Jeremy Birchfield with the 167th. We pray for all you guys every day, several times and we know you will be home with us, safe and sound when the job is done. A word for you all from a very wise woman who knew a thing or two about a rough patch:
“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorry; it empties today of its strength.” ~~ Corrie Ten Boom
By April
June 8, 2005 12:32 AM | Link to this
I just want to say thank you to all of the soldiers!! We are so proud of all of you! To the Alabama boys, we miss you and we love you guys! To Jeremy, the boys and I miss you and we love you so much! The boys ask about you everyday! To T, I love you brother and I am so proud of you!!! We pray for all of you everyday and we know that God will take care of all of you!
By John
June 8, 2005 04:31 AM | Link to this
A 167 is no redheaded stepchild, they are a very important part of this TF, I am proud to have them with us, The reasons they are with us was becasue the Army chose them not because there was any type of shortcomming in the 48th. The Army needed them and like proud soldiers that they are the “4th Alabama” answered the call to duty. We will work harder and encourage the press to give them their due credit.
Rough Rider 6
By Jennifer
June 8, 2005 11:36 AM | Link to this
In response to BLF: Please do not disrespect our Lt. Col. It is always those that do the least that complain the most. You are not in the 120 degree desert getting shot at. Secondly, I don’t think anyone is a “redhead stepchild”. The conditions there are rough for everyone. We are just fortunate to have Dave and Curtis embedded with our soldiers, they are doing an excellent job. They have been there less than thirty days. There is a whole year ahead for your Alabama soldiers to get some media attention. However this is the AJC, hence they will cover “their own” first. Did any of your journalists volunteer to go? Remember we are all Americans and have soldiers there fighting for the same cause. Please be nice and respectful to our soldiers and our journalists.
By "Aunt" Linda C
June 8, 2005 02:36 PM | Link to this
Salute to the Bama boys and All with the 167th - especially PFC Thomas Clark and SSG Jeremy Birchfield. Know that you are in our thoughts and Prayers daily. We love and miss you and are proud of you. Please let us know if you need anything or if there is anything we can do for you.
Love and stay safe!!!!
By Becca
June 8, 2005 05:48 PM | Link to this
To BLF: The last time I checked, all of the Soldiers of the 48th volunteered for service. We aren’t under Draft conditions yet. My husband extended his enlistment when he found out his unit was going, and I know of others who switched units so they could serve for a second year-long tour. All Soldiers should be applauded for their service, and petty comments about not being included in the newspaper should be avoided. We should concern ourselves more with whether or not our Soldiers are being taken care of (to whatever extent possible).
By Michael Castagna
June 8, 2005 11:44 PM | Link to this
To Greg, Brian, Tom and Larry 108th Armor. You are in my prayers every night, stay safe and if you need any milk crates let me know.
Mikey
By Chris
June 9, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to say a huge “THANK YOU” to all the soldiers deployed over there. I’m a Bama boy so I am especially proud of our 167th currently attached to the Georgia unit. I want to give a shout out to PFC Thomas Clark and SSG Jeremy Birchfield. We miss you and are praying for you. Joshua prays for his Uncle T and Uncle Jeremy every night. Like I said at the deployment ceremony, “Get ‘er dun!” and come home safely. Stay in it, guys.
By Ashley
June 10, 2005 11:33 AM | Link to this
To all the soldiers, especially our “Bama Boys”: I wanted to let all you guys know how proud we are of the strength you have shown by taking on this responsibility. I know it’s not easy being away from your families but take comfort in knowing that we are taking care of each other here. Stick together, take care of each other and come home safe. To SGT. Nathan Russell, Jackson and I miss you very much and are so glad that we have you to watch out for our safety and freedom. I know you are doing a fantastic job. To Novak, Lopez, Burchfield, Howard and Dennis take care of my man. Hope to see all your smiling faces soon!
By Amanda
June 13, 2005 12:48 AM | Link to this
To BLF: My husband just enlisted in Aug of 2004, voluntarily. He has 8 yrs military service (1989-1997) had only re-enlisted because of the 48th going to war. He felt it was his duty and job to protect ALL of the American people, not just GA. So what does it matter where you come from? Isn’t it the principal of the matter at hand?