From MNF-I, Iraqi forces take on growing role in the fight against IEDs.
TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police forces are taking on more responsibility and clearing many of the improvised explosive devices found throughout Multi-National Division – North without any assistance from Coalition Forces. West of Bayji, Iraq, an Iraqi Army Soldier noticed a dump truck driver acting suspiciously Dec. 9. Acting on intuition, the IA soldier prevented the truck from detonating near innocent civilians. His quick thinking and reaction time saved lives. In another incident in Diyala Province, Iraqi Army Soldiers found a prepared improvised explosive device positioned on the side of a road. The Soldiers followed the command wire to a nearby house and detained the triggerman before he was able to detonate the device Dec. 9. The Iraqi forces learn about many IEDs and VBIEDs through tips from local residents as well as through Concerned Local Citizen groups. The Iraqi Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are then sent to reduce the explosive device if possible. In a recent one-week period, Iraqi forces were able to defuse more than 26 IEDs without assistance from Coalition Forces.
Posts
