(8)Week One of Saratoga
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.
READER COMMENTS: "Week One of Saratoga"
Posted by Soldier's Dad at October 10, 2005 7:48 AM ET:
Interesting historical note...the Battle of Saratoga in October 1777 was commanded by a general named Gates.
http://www.saratoga.org/battle1777/
Posted by Ted Seay at October 10, 2005 7:54 AM ET:
Isn't it odd? The more Iraqi civilians the terrorists blow up, the more Iraqi citizens inform on the terrorists...
Posted by Jamison1 at October 10, 2005 8:04 AM ET:
Thanks, Bill
We don't seem to get a lot of information on that province.
Posted by Super 6 at October 10, 2005 8:37 AM ET:
Tikrit and Samarra have been trouble spots from day one. I sometimes wonder why we didn't lay waste to these places last year. Hindsight is 20/20. Looks like we are putting on a full court press to preempt as many "election attacks" as possible.
Posted by GK at October 10, 2005 9:44 AM ET:
What is odd is the skewed ratios - only 12 killed but 750 'suspects' arrested.
Sure, many suspects are just 17 year olds with nothing else to do, but this ratio of 12:750 seems lopsided. I thought these Jihadis fought to the death..
Posted by desert rat at October 10, 2005 10:45 AM ET:
Good to see that the Iraqi Defense Minister was telling the truth last month when he told the people of Ramadi and Samarra "We're coming".
Time will tell, but the tide sure seems to be running out on the Insurgents.
4 days and a wake up 'til the Referendum.
Posted by ghoullio at October 10, 2005 5:11 PM ET:
Isurgents as in AQI. whethe ror not the Sunni Insurgency will be pacified by elecitons remains to be seen.
IMO, i expect more attacks from them if the constitution goes through. it seems as if the Sunnis are quite sore with it and assume has the eventual break up of Iraq written in it.
Posted by Soldier's Dad at October 10, 2005 9:30 PM ET:
GK,
"this ratio of 12:750 seems lopsided"
I would characterize the insurgency in Salahadin as more of a former Bathist insurgency than an AQIZ insurgency. AQIZ is certainly in the picture, but not the main player.