United States Marine Corps

Press Release
Public Affairs Office
1st Marine Division
1stLt. Nathan Braden

Contact: BradenNJ@1mardivdm.usmc.mil

Release # 1012-04-1339

Searches of local mosques net suspected insurgents, bomb-making material
Oct 12, 2004

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq -- Iraqi Security Forces, supported by Marines and Soldiers from the 1st Marine Division, searched seven mosques in Ramadi earlier this morning.

Iraqi Security Forces executed the raids smoothly and professionally, resulting in the detention of four suspected insurgents, and the confiscation of bomb-making materials and insurgent propaganda.
"Our participation in these raids was limited to supporting Iraqi Security Forces," said Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division.

Mosques have increasingly become affiliated with a spectrum of insurgent activity, including harboring known terrorists, storing illegal weapons caches, promoting violence against the Iraqi people and encouraging insurgent recruitment.

"These raids sent a clear message to the insurgents that they can no longer use mosques as safe havens," said Dunford.

Mosques are granted protective status due to their religious and cultural significance. However, once they are used for military purposes they lose their protective status as places of religious worship.
Great care was taken to minimize the risks to noncombatants and avoid collateral damage. The Marines and Soldiers of 1st Marine Division are committed to assisting Iraqi Security Forces in enhancing security and stability in Iraq for the Iraqi people.

For more information, contact 1stLt Nathan J. Braden at BradenNJ@1mardivdm.usmc.mil.


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Text-only version of release attached below:


PRESS RELEASE_04-136.txt