Home » Archives » "IA, 172nd SBCT Soldiers Help Make Ghazaliyah Safe"

IA, 172nd SBCT Soldiers Help Make Ghazaliyah Safe

Aug-26-2006 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

Written by Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel, 363rd MPAD

BAGHDAD – As part of Operation Together Forward, Iraqi army soldiers and Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s Company C, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, mounted a combined operation and conducted a cordon and search mission Sunday in the Baghdad neighborhood of Ghazaliyah in an effort to decrease terrorist activity and protect law-abiding residents.

Starting before dawn and continuing through the early afternoon, the Soldiers systematically searched houses along neighborhood blocks, taking care to respect Iraqi customs and property along the way.

“Unfortunately, we have to enter each home whether it’s empty or not,” said Capt. Matthew Mousseau, platoon leader, 1st Platoon, Co. C, 4th Bn., Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Many of the residents were at home and were present as each room of their residence was searched. However, some homes appeared to be recently abandoned because all furniture and household items were absent.

In previous searches Company C has conducted, Soldiers found notes threatening homeowners to leave, and sometimes the notes had a bullet attached, said Mousseau.

It is threats and violence such as these that the IA and MND-B Soldiers hope to end with Operation Together Forward.
“People are very interested (and respond) well to what we are doing, giving us information and displaying a positive attitude towards us,” said Sgt. Shane Weaver, infantryman, 1st Plt., Co. C. “They seem happy to see us on the ground.”

“It’s great to have the IA along,” added 2nd Lt. Michael Williams, platoon leader, 2nd Plt., Co. C. “They do a good job and the residents like to see them out here as well.”

“We’re making the area safe from terrorists,” said Habib, an Iraqi army soldier, through the aid of an interpreter.

He said he has a vested interest in eliminating the criminal element in the area, which is “taking some convicted terrorists to prison that had hurt my family.”

Related Images


Advertisements