Vance
12-17-2003, 02:15 PM
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/12/17/sprj.irq.main/index.html
SAMARRA, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. forces launched an offensive Wednesday to root out insurgents in the restive Iraqi city of Samarra, scooping up 30 suspected anti-coalition insurgents.
The campaign, called Operation Ivy Blizzard, got under way early Wednesday in Samarra a day after the capture of a "high-level target," who was believed to be financing anti-coalition attacks, and 73 other Iraqis. Operation Ivy Blizzard involves the 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Ironhorse and Iraqi police.
Col. Frederick Rudesheim said the 30 suspects were picked up during a number of targeted raids and search operations.
Checkpoints have been set up to control and monitor access to Samarra, 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Saddam Hussein's ancestral homeland of Tikrit.
Rudesheim said the majority of those arrested were targeted, adding that some people were more important than others. He said the military hasn't found any foreign fighters among the suspects.
"This is a clear demonstration of our resolve to control the city of Samarra" and hand the reins of power back to the Iraqis, he said.
American soldiers have fought off ambushes in Samarra twice this month -- on December 1, when the military said troops killed 54 Iraqis, and Monday, when they killed 11 attackers.
Troops are continuing to search for a number of high-ranking members of Saddam's former regime, including Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, Number 6 on the list of the 55 most-wanted Iraqis and the highest-ranking member still at large.
Is this close enough for Operation Ivy? woot
SAMARRA, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. forces launched an offensive Wednesday to root out insurgents in the restive Iraqi city of Samarra, scooping up 30 suspected anti-coalition insurgents.
The campaign, called Operation Ivy Blizzard, got under way early Wednesday in Samarra a day after the capture of a "high-level target," who was believed to be financing anti-coalition attacks, and 73 other Iraqis. Operation Ivy Blizzard involves the 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Ironhorse and Iraqi police.
Col. Frederick Rudesheim said the 30 suspects were picked up during a number of targeted raids and search operations.
Checkpoints have been set up to control and monitor access to Samarra, 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Saddam Hussein's ancestral homeland of Tikrit.
Rudesheim said the majority of those arrested were targeted, adding that some people were more important than others. He said the military hasn't found any foreign fighters among the suspects.
"This is a clear demonstration of our resolve to control the city of Samarra" and hand the reins of power back to the Iraqis, he said.
American soldiers have fought off ambushes in Samarra twice this month -- on December 1, when the military said troops killed 54 Iraqis, and Monday, when they killed 11 attackers.
Troops are continuing to search for a number of high-ranking members of Saddam's former regime, including Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, Number 6 on the list of the 55 most-wanted Iraqis and the highest-ranking member still at large.
Is this close enough for Operation Ivy? woot