United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Capt. David Nevers

Contact: neversde@24meufwd.usmc.mil

Release # 1007-04-0634

Iraqi and U.S. Forces continue push
Oct 6, 2004

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq -- Iraqi security forces, backed by elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, captured 13 suspected militants in the central Iraqi town of Haswah today as the joint force continued to aggressively target anti-Iraqi forces throughout Northern Babil province.

The Iraqi SWAT team, an emerging elite force within the ISF, led the afternoon raid in a town where Iraqi and Marine authorities believe AIF have been festering by intimidating the local, largely peaceful citizenry.

Raids conducted by ISF and Marine forces early in the week drove insurgents east of the Euphrates River to Haswah. AIF forces retaliated with small attacks on MEU forces from the town, which lies about 30 miles south of Baghdad.

ISF and Marine commanders were poised to strike, and the Iraqi SWAT team was given the mission to round up a number of individuals suspected of engaging directly in or abetting anti-Iraqi and anti-coalition activity.

The Iraqis were backed on the ground by the MEU’s Force Reconnaissance platoon. Helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 provided close air support.

Earlier in the day, members of a second Iraqi special forces unit captured four suspected AIF during two cordon-and-knock searches west of the Euphrates River near Iskandariyah. The BLT’s Bravo Company provided reinforcement.

The successful raids came on the second day of this joint Iraqi-U.S. endeavor to step up the pressure on insurgents operating in Northern Babil province.

ISF and 24th MEU Marines – augmented by the Army’s 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team – rounded up 43 suspected insurgents during multiple raids across the province Tuesday.

During the past two days of operations, forces also uncovered 3 weapons caches that yielded (18) 500-pound bombs, four of which were active, (197) RPG rounds, (47) 133 mm mortar rounds, (14) 125 mm mortar rounds, machine gun parts and blasting caps.

So far, four Marines, three Iraqi National Guardsmen and three civilians were injured. No enemy casualties can be verified at this time.

More than 1300 U.S. Marines and Army soldiers as well as 800 Iraqi military and police personnel are jointly operating in the province.

The operation is part of a continuing campaign to rid the area of criminals and terrorists who are attempting to thwart Iraq’s path to a peaceful, prosperous future.

For more information, contact Capt. David Nevers (neversde@24meufwd.usmc.mil) or visit the unit's Web site at www.24meu.usmc.mil.


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Text-only version of release attached below:


release 04-020 24TH MEU Update.txt