By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Operation Lightning Hammer, involving approximately 16,000 Iraqi security and coalition forces, has been launched with a large-scale offensive to defeat Al-Qaeda and other terrorist cells seeking safe haven throughout the Diyala River Valley, said the Multi-National Force (MNF).
In a statement Tuesday, the MNF said this operation, which began Monday, was a key part of the overall operation, “Phantom Strike.”
Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, partnered with members of the 5th Iraqi Army Division, initiated the operation with a late-night air assault into targeted locations to capture or kill Al-Qaeda responsible for the violence against Iraqi civilians, it said.
“Al-Qaeda cells were disrupted and forced into hiding due to Operation Arrowhead Ripper in June and July,” said Maj-Gen Benjamin Mixon, commander of Task Force Lightning and Multi-National Division North (MND-N).
“Our main goal with Lightning Hammer is to eliminate the terrorist organisations throughout MND-N and show them that they truly have no safe haven — especially in Diyala.” Taking advantage of concentrated forces in Diyala province, Lightning Hammer’s goal is to target Al-Qaeda elements that fled from Baqouba into the outlying regions north of Diyala’s capital city, the statement added.
In addition to the thousands of soldiers and their Iraqi counterparts participating in Lightning Hammer, attack helicopters, close-air support, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and tanks complement the combined effort.
“The Iraqi Army and coalition forces are committed to the people of Diyala, they are committed to fighting for the Iraqi people’s security,” Mixon said. “We will aggressively and persistently target Al-Qaeda, an organisation that brings nothing but hatred, destruction and disregard for the very foundation of the Iraqi peoples’ principles and faith.”