Iraqi and US troops step up Baghdad security operation
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An Iraqi policeman stands guard at a checkpoint as US Army soldiers
from Bravo Company 5-20 Infantry Regiment pass by on patrol in the
Adamiyah neighbourhood of northern Baghdad during the fifth day of
Operation Arrowhead Strike VI, 10 February 2007. The troops combined
with the 82nd Airborne division "surge" troops arrived at a combat
outpost to conduct operations under the new Baghdad Security Plan,
and are the first to live in Iraqi neighbourhoods to retain and
secure the area following an offensive launched under Operation
Arrowhead Strike VI. -AFP PHOTO
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Iraqi and US forces have cranked up their security plan for Baghdad,
with low-level runs by fighter jets passing the message that Operation
Law and Order was getting into full swing.
"Baghdad soldiers and Iraqi security forces increased their
operational tempo in several areas of the Iraqi capital today," the US
military said.
"Intelligence-focused searches accompanied by clearing operations
were conducted by coalition and Iraqi security forces in multiple
locations across Baghdad," said US army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel
Scott Bleichwehl. Since Wednesday, passes by combat aircraft, including
a Lancer bomber, have intensified, with fighter jets screaming at low
altitude along paths that criss-cross the Iraqi capital.
By May, eight Iraqi and US combat brigades are to join the fight
against insurgents and rogue militia units that roam Baghdad pursuing a
bitter sectarian war between Sunni and Shiite factions.
A total of 85,000 troops are forecast for deployment in the Iraqi
capital, and while US forces began their movements more than a week ago,
Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Wednesday that the security
plan had now begun.
Targeted raids, cordon and searches and clearing operations were
spearheads in a major assault "against extremist elements to deny them
safe-haven," and 14 suspects were detained early Thursday, Bleichwehl
said.
"Increased security patrols also discovered four weapons caches," he
said.
AFP
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