1 The Long War Journal: Week One of Saratoga

Written by Bill Roggio on October 10, 2005 7:27 AM to 1 The Long War Journal

Available online at: http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2005/10/week_one_of_sar_1.php

Operation Saratoga, which is being conducted concurrently with operations along the Euphrates River, completes its first week. Saratoga is aimed at the hotspots along the Tigris River basin north and west of Baghdad. Over "175 raids and security missions" were executed, with twelve terrorists killed, eight wounded and 750 suspects taken into custody during operations.

Near Samarra, a suicide bomber was stopped before it reached its intended target (detonating and tragically killing a child). In the town of Dalish, a known car bomb manufacturer and his partner were killed in a raid. The citizens of Iraq are providing valuable intelligence and tips.

With the assistance of Iraqi civilian tips, more than 50 improvised explosive devices were discovered and neutralized on the roads of North Central Iraq. Weapons seizures included five mortar systems, more than 50 mortar rounds, 75 artillery rounds, nearly 70 rockets and 10 anti tank mines.

This is one deadly arsenal that will be unavailable for the expected attacks on the upcoming referendum on the constitution.