IA, CF shut down terrorist group ‘The Council’

IA, CF shut down terrorist group ‘The Council’

Thursday, 18 January 2007

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070118-01
Jan. 18, 2007

IA, CF shut down terrorist group ‘The Council’
Multi-National Division – North PAO

BALAD RUZ, Iraq – After a nine-day operation in the Turki Village area, soldiers from 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army, together with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, defeated “The Council,” a known terrorist group which has historically targeted families and tribes with violence throughout the region. Coalition Forces continue to maintain a presence to further the peace and stability of the area.

“The group, made up of former Ba’ath Regime members, Al Qaeda and Sunni extremists, refused to participate in any political dialogue and preferred attacking innocent civilians in the Diyala province, killing as many as 39 civilians in one kidnapping and mass murder in November,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander, and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province. More than 50 of the council’s terrorists responsible for the November murder of 39 civilian were captured during the recent operations.

“The fear of the people and the weapons used by these individuals are used to attack the core of Iraqi values and beliefs. They are interested in preventing individual human rights and freedoms that the people of this region want so much,” Sutherland said.

The families and tribes that form the basis of this society recognize this achievement, Sutherland added. Phone calls to report criminal activity to the Police Coordination Center has increased 131 percent since the beginning of the operation.

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