Iraqi Special Operation Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, killed 14 criminals March 31. The operation was directed by senior Iraqi leaders in the port city of Basra.

The ISOF planned and conducted the mission to capture and arrest the criminals in an abandoned school. According to recent intelligence information, these criminals planted improvised explosive devices along the roads leading to the school. They also set up defensive fighting positions around the facility.

The school was a staging point for armed assaults against Iraqi Security Forces as well as a storage facility for illegal weapons, ammunition and explosives.

The ISOF received small arms fire throughout the operation. Both ISOF and U.S. SF returned fire while a Coalition aircraft provided additional requested close-air support. During the operation, 14 armed individuals were killed.

While clearing buildings next to the school, ISOF also found and released six ISF members who were being held at the compound.
MNF-I