CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES.

July 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-41

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION IVY SERPENT

TIKRIT, Iraq– The 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse has launched the fourth series of operations, yesterday, focused on neutralizing paramilitary, Ba’ath Party loyalists and other subversive elements within Iraq. Operation Ivy Serpent is a preemptive strike that aggressively focuses on non-compliant forces and former regime leaders who are planning attacks against coalition forces in an attempt to hinder coalition and Iraqi efforts in building a new Iraq. Much of the effort is concentrated in a region along Highway 1 between the cities of Bayji, Huwayiah and Samarra. Coalition forces will not deter from the objective until these hostiles are located and destroyed.

Intelligence reports gathered from a variety of sources indicate former regime leaders plan attacks against coalition targets during this time frame. Coalition members encourage the local Iraqi leadership to take the initiative and aid in the capture of subversive elements that attempt to hinder the rebuilding of Iraq.

Ivy Serpent, like previous operations Peninsula Strike, Desert Scorpion and Sidewinder, will sweep the task force’s area of operations to root out elements attempting to undermine coalition efforts to restore basic infrastructure and stability in the region.


July 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-42
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE DEAD, TWO WOUNDED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT

BAGHDAD, Iraq – One soldier was killed and two others injured at approximately

6:30 a.m. July 13 when a tractor trailer crashed into their military vehicle, which was parked at a check point outside of a base camp near the city of Ad Diwaniyah.

The names of the soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.



July 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-43
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION SECURITY EFFORTS CONTINUE

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 101st Airborne Division started border guard training for more than 100 border guards in the Chwarta and Halaba districts.

The 1st Armored Division conducted three raids resulting in 85 individuals being detained and 15 pistols, 15 assault rifles and one rocket-propelled grenade confiscated.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 22 raids, 1,166-day patrols and 894 night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 215 day patrols and 170 night patrols.

The total raids and patrols resulted in 330 arrests for various criminal activities including six for murder, one for kidnapping, two for car jacking, three for aggravated assault, 10 for burglary, and 42 looting.


July 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-44
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COALITION CONTINUES EFFORTS TO REBUILD IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces tested water and provided money for refurbishment of a water treatment facility as part of recent reconstruction efforts in Iraq.

Some of the tasks accomplished in the last 48 hours:

Coalition forces tested water samples in a number of towns across Iraq. They tested water samples in Al Wajihya and Muqadidiyah, in the Ba’qubah area. They also tested water samples in An Nasiriyah. Results showed the water quality is satisfactory at all e locations.

In Samarra, Coalition forces disbursed $10,025 for the refurbishment of the local water treatment facility. The director of the facility said the repairs should take no longer than one month to complete.

In Fallujah, Coalition forces in coordination with an Iraqi trash removal service removed almost 55 truckloads of trash. To date, approximately 1,854 truckloads of trash have been removed from the area.



July 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-45
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HUMANITARIAN PROJECTS HELP IRAQIS

TIKRIT, Iraq – Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse are helping rebuild Iraq with projects directed at improving facilities and providing jobs.

In the provinces of Salah Ad Din, Diyala and At Tamin, the 4th ID is managing reconstruction projects in a variety of areas that includes education, health and human services, public works, security and communications.

More than 150 projects are underway in Salah Ad Din province. The Tikrit Model School will receive a fresh coat of paint along with mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements. The school improvement project will also provide jobs to local residents. Also, the Samarra Health Clinic and Hospital will receive new equipment to replace that which was damaged or looted during the war.

In At Tamim province, 76 new law enforcement officers will receive training at the Kirkuk Police Academy. The academy is a cooperative effort between U.S. and Iraqi police instructors. Also in Kirkuk, repairs and improvements at the Communications Office will help the ministry re-establish a vital communications hub in northern Iraq.


July 13, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-46
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION IVY SERPENT CONTINUES

TIKRIT, Iraq – The 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse launched Operation Ivy Serpent, a preemptive strike July 12, resulting in the capture of several members of the former regime and the confiscation of numerous weapons and ammunition caches.

In an early morning raid near Ba’qubah soldiers captured three former regime loyalist leaders.

Operation Ivy Serpent has resulted in the detainment of more than 80 people who are members of the Ba’ath Party, Fedayeen, Regime Death Squad or other subversive elements. During the course of the raids confiscated weapons include AK-47s, pistols, mortars and items used to make improvised explosive devices.

The 4th ID and Task Force Ironhorse will continue to pursue and capture non-compliant forces and former regime leaders who have attacked Coalition forces.



July 14, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-47
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE SOLDIER KILLED, SIX WOUNDED IN RPG ATTACK

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 3rd Infantry Division soldier was killed and six others were wounded here in the Al Mansor district at approximately 6 a.m. July 14 when the convoy they were traveling in was ambushed in a multiple rocket-propelled grenade attack.

The soldiers were evacuated to 28th Combat Support Hospital for treatment.



July 14, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-48
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION IVY SERPENT YIELDS RESULTS

TIKRIT, Iraq – Operation Ivy Serpent, in its second day, resulted in the capture of 226 detainees and the confiscation of 800 82-mm mortar rounds, 50 AK-47s, 26 rocket-propelled grenades and three hand grenades. Six of the detainees are former regime loyalist leaders.

Operation Ivy Serpent, which started July 12, is the initiative of the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse to search for and apprehend high value targets and confiscate weapons and ammunition caches. Operation Ivy Serpent, like previous operations Peninsula Strike, Desert Scorpion and Sidewinder, will sweep the task force’s area and root out elements that have attacked Coalition forces.

So far in Operation Ivy Serpent the 4th ID and Taskforce Ironhorse have conducted 27 raids. To date, no Iraqi civilians have been killed or wounded in the operation. Additionally, no Coalition forces have been killed or wounded.