The number of detainees in Task Force 134 custody dropped below 9,000 during a detainee transfer between Coalition forces and the Government of Iraq here, Aug. 27.

As a result of the 107-person transfer, the detainee population in Iraq stands at 8,947 – the lowest number in U.S. custody since March 2005.

In accordance with the Security Agreement, detainee transfers between CF and the GoI must be conducted with arrest warrants or detention orders. If detainees do not have arrest warrants or detention orders, they must be released.

“We work very closely with the Iraqi government to ensure releases and transfers are conducted in a safe and orderly manner,” said Capt. Brad Kimberly, Task Force 134 spokesman. “In compliance with the Security Agreement, we transferred these detainees to the GoI after receiving valid warrants or detention orders.”

Every detainee’s file is thoroughly reviewed by CF and the GoI to determine if a warrant should be issued, he said. Detainees whose investigations do not produce a warrant are eligible for release according to the detainee’s threat level.

Of the 8,947 detainees in U.S. custody, 3,572 are held at Camp Cropper, 4,585 are held at Camp Taji, and 790 are held at Camp Bucca.

Task Force 134 is in the process of transferring the Bucca Theater Internment Facility detainee population prior to the facility’s closing, which is scheduled for September. Detainees currently held at Camp Bucca will be transferred to either Camp Cropper or Camp Taji.

Task Force 134 releases approximately 750 detainees from its detention facilities each month. In addition, nearly 250 transfers to the GoI are completed per month.

Since January, 1,179 detainees have been transferred to the GoI with a valid warrant or detention order, and 5,236 have been released.

MNF-I

Dujaylah Iraqi Police pick up trash during Dujaylah Pride Day, April 18. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson

Iraqi Security Forces, government officials and Coalition forces banded together for Dujaylah Pride Day to clean up the town, April 18.

“It was very good for the city and the people because they see the Army and the Police and the Americans as they worked together to clean the area and that’s a really excellent job to inform the people of the cooperation,” said Salah Nasser Al Attabr, deputy mayor of Dujaylah.

Iraqi Army Humvees led the way with two garbage trucks following as the group picked up trash along a one mile loop in the inner city.

“The Iraqi Army, [Iraqi Police] and the Coalition forces helped to clean this area and the people saw that we just don’t protect them, but we also help the community,” said Maj. Jabber Jom’ah Owaid, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade.

Kids in the town gathered around the Soldiers and also joined the clean-up, working hand-in-hand with Coalition and Iraqi forces.

“It’s supposed to be for everybody, every member of society, even the officials, kids, students and college students,” said Salah. “They have to share in this kind of job of cleaning their city. That is their duty.”

The hope for this event is that the citizens of Dujaylah will see the example of partnership and care of community, according to Salah.

“It’s an excellent example,” said Salah. “Plus, a lot of people see the Americans doing this job, so they know the Americans came from all over and came here to help people, even to clean their streets and try to help them to improve their city.”

“I think that this shows the people that it’s important to clean up their streets and that a lot of people here feel that they have to start to do that themselves,” said Jabber. “People promised me that they will work hard to clean their city in the future.”

MNF-I
By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson, Multi-National Division – South

U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan killed 16 enemy fighters in several operations March 7, 2009, military officials reported.

In addition, forces captured two weapons smugglers March 6.

A combined Afghan and coalition force arrived at a targeted compound in Khowst province yesterday and was engaged by multiple armed militants using small-arms fire in a populated, urban area. The combined force returned fire, killing four militants and injuring one.

The injured militant was treated by a coalition medical team and was detained. Another militant who had fled the compound on foot was captured and detained, and three other militants were detained without incident.

A search revealed weapons, explosives and bomb-making materials, which were taken off the compound to prevent their use against Afghan citizens, Afghan security forces and coalition forces. Fourteen women and 26 children were protected during the operation.

In Kandahar province yesterday, a combined Afghan and coalition force conducted two operations to disable a mid-level Taliban commander responsible for conducting operations in the province’s Maywand district. Based on information provided by a local resident, forces targeted a compound where a militant was staying. When the force reached the compound, an enemy combatant engaged them and was killed. A search of the compound revealed multiple weapons and grenades, which were destroyed outside the compound, minimizing collateral damage.

At a second location, two armed militants were killed during combat operations. A search of the compound revealed weapons and grenades, which were destroyed a safe distance from people and structures. Eight women and 14 children were protected.

Also yesterday, forces led by Afghan National Police killed five armed extremists during a patrol in the Tarin Kowt district of Oruzgan province. The combined forces patrol was ambushed by small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire in a highly populated area. Taking into account the large number of innocent civilians nearby, the Afghan National Police used precisely controlled small-arms fire to suppress and ultimately defeat the five enemy combatants.

Following the engagement, the police officers secured the area and found a bomb on a well-traveled roadside near where the attack took place. The device, which officials said was designed as an indiscriminate “victim-activated” bomb, was destroyed in a controlled detonation. No civilian or security force casualties were reported.

In other news, the Afghan Border Police participated in a joint combat operation with coalition forces against a known militant compound in Khowst province yesterday. Four armed militants were killed when they attempted to kill members of the joint force, and five other suspected bomb makers were detained. The combined force found and confiscated weapons, explosives and bomb-making materials.

“Instigators stirred up a group of protestors complaining that Afghans were not involved in the incident and that innocent civilians were killed, but these were, indeed, armed militants as reported by the border policemen and coalition forces who were involved in the raid,” Army Col. Greg. Julian, a U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman, said.

On March 6, Afghan National Police, assisted by coalition forces, captured two enemy weapons facilitators during an early morning search of a compound in Ghazni province. The suspects are linked to weapons smuggling and supplying Taliban commanders with weapons and ammunition to facilitate attacks on Afghan security forces, officials said.

The police secured the area with no shots fired, and no police, coalition forces or noncombatants were injured in the operation.

DoD

Afghan national security forces and coalition forces killed several militants in Nahr Surkh District, Helmand province, Oct. 8, 2008, when their security patrol was attacked with small-arms and rocket propelled grenade fire.

ANSF and coalition forces responded to the attack with small-arms, rocket propelled grenade and supporting fires, killing nine militants.

No ANSF, coalition forces or civilian casualties have been reported.

Note: There were two separate engagements on Oct. 8, 2008, in Nahr Surkh District, both killing nine militants.

DVIDS

Afghan national security forces and coalition forces killed 12 militants in Shaheed Hasas district, Oruzgan province, Oct. 8, 2008.

The forces were conducting a combat security patrol when they were attacked by militants with small-arms, mortar and rocket-propelled grenade fire.

ANSF and coalition forces responded to the attack with small-arms, RPG and supporting fires, killing 12 militants.

Local Afghan villagers told ANSF and coalition forces that militant fire killed 10 Afghan civilians in a nearby village.

Militant fire also injured three women and six children who sought out coalition forces for medical care. All of the injured were medically evacuated to a coalition hospital where they are being treated for their injuries.

No ANSF or coalition forces casualties have been reported.

Shortly after the engagement, ANSF and coalition forces met with local leaders and family members of the deceased, who expressed their gratitude for coalition forces in treating those injured by the insurgents.

“The acts committed today are acts of terrorism against innocent civilians,” Assadullah Hamdam, Oruzgan provincial governor. “I hope these enemies are captured and are brought to justice. I appreciate the effort of ANSF and the coalition force for their actions today.”

DVIDS