Iraqi Army Raid to Capture Death Squad Commander

BAGHDAD – Special Iraqi Army forces, with Coalition
advisers, conducted two raids Oct. 25 in Sadr City, Baghdad to capture
a death squad leader and capture criminals involved in the kidnapping
of a U.S. Soldier. Iraqi forces and Coalition forces had
credible intelligence indicating the location of an insurgent leader
personally involved in and directing widespread death squad activity
for numerous murder cells in eastern Baghdad. The ground assault force
also planned to act on credible intelligence indicating that criminals
involved in the kidnapping of a US Soldier were located in a Sadr City
mosque. Iraqi forces quickly secured the insurgent’s residence
in Sadr City and detained 10 suspected death squad members. As soon as
the Iraqi forces arrived at the objective, enemy small arms fire was
received and suppressed by aimed, controlled fires from the assault
force; enemy rocket propelled grenade fire was neutralized by precision
gunfire from a supporting Coalition aircraft. Ten enemy fighters were
killed and two were wounded. The ground assault force departed
the first objective and moved through Sadr City to the mosque where the
kidnapping suspects were believed to be located. Iraqi forces secured
the mosque, entered it, and detained three suspects for further
questioning.

(courtesy of: MNF - Baghdad)