CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES.

July 12, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-38


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


MILITARY POLICE SCALE BACK PRESENCE IN FALLUJAH

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Third Infantry Division soldiers began a transition of responsibility with the Fallujah Police Department July 11 as Iraqi police forces requested more authority in patrolling and securing the town.

The police requested that Coalition forces decrease their presence at the police station and allow the Fallujah police to patrol the streets themselves instead of jointly with military police. They also asked that the military have a quick reaction team on call in case the police needed assistance.

Military police will maintain small liaison offices in the Fallujah mayor’s office and the police department to ensure coordination of efforts in the town of 200,000 approximately 30 miles west of Baghdad.

The division will remain in Fallujah for the near future. Soldiers continue to improve infrastructure, upgrade municipal facilities and assist with health care projects.

The division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team has been instrumental in training and equipping the Fallujah police department. Law enforcement officers have received new uniforms, weapons and vehicles over the last month as well as a instruction in police core competencies.



July 12, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-39


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


OPPOSITION LEADERS APPREHENDED IN NORTHERN IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces apprehended opposition leaders in northern Iraq on July 11, in the continued fight for freedom in Iraq.

In Mosul, the 101st Airborne Division apprehended three local opposition leaders. All three men are currently detained in the division’s holding facility.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force along with Iraqi police arrested two men in Al Kifl, one of whom is a suspected colonel in the former regime’s security force. Coalition forces searched the suspects’ houses finding approximately 100 blasting caps, time fuses and other explosives.

In a separate patrol, 1st MEF seized a cache of 1,000 122mm rockets in the town of Shayka Mazhar. They also seized numerous mortar rounds.

The 1st Armored Division conducted four raids resulting in 233 individuals detained and 20 pistols and 20 assault rifles confiscated.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 26 raids, 1,088 day patrols and 764 night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with Iraqi police conducting 185 day patrols and 210 night patrols. Independently, Iraqi police conducted 71 day and three night patrols.

The raids and patrols resulted in 99 total arrests for various criminal activities including four for murder, two for kidnapping, three for car jacking, six for aggravated assault, eight for burglary, and 12 looting.