This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/10-31seal.php last modified on April 12, 2005 10:42 AM
| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
Active Unit News
U.S. soldiers seal off Saddam's home village
By KATARINA KRATOVAC
The Associated Press
10/31/03 7:49 AM
UJA, Iraq (AP) -- American soldiers on Friday sealed off the village where Saddam Hussein was born and ordered adults to register for identity cards that will allow them to move in and out of the community.
The New York Times reported Friday that senior U.S. officials believe the former Iraqi leader, who has been on the run since U.S. forces took over Baghdad in April, is playing a major role in coordinating and directing attacks against American troops.
"This is an effort to protect the majority of the population, the people who want to get on with their lives," said Lt. Col. Steve Russell, a battalion commander in the 4th Infantry Division.
Russell said he did not know whether Saddam was directing parts of the insurgency, but the village is the family home of many former Baathist regime members.
"There are ties leading to this village, to the funding and planning of attacks against U.S. soldiers," Russell said.
The operation would provide "controlled access" to Uja, Russell said.
Starting around midnight Thursday, U.S. soldiers, Iraqi police and civil defense forces moved into this small dusty village about six miles southeast of Tikrit.
Soldiers erected a fence of barbed wire, stretched over wooden poles, and laid spirals of concertina wire around the perimeter of the village. Local Iraqi workmen were hired to help erect the fence.
Meanwhile, groups of soldiers were positioned in dugout holes at strategic points surrounding the village and Bradley armored vehicles provided security.
The soldiers also established checkpoints on the road leading in and out of this village of about 3,500 residents. All cars were stopped and searched and people on the road were questioned about their identity.
The area around Tikrit, 120 miles north of Baghdad, is considered a hotbed of resistance to coalition troops.
Everybody more than 18 years old would have to register with the coalition forces and receive identity cards that will allow them to move in and out of the village, U.S. officers said.
"There are a lot of peaceful people here but there are some who are stirring up trouble in Uja," said Capt. Mark Staffler, from Harrisburg, Pa. "We want to help them make a better Iraq."
By morning, dozens of men from Uja had lined up outside the local police station, waiting to give personal information and have their picture taken for a computer-made ID card.
The rest of Uja appeared calm. From the minaret of the village's modern mosque came calls for the midday prayer.
Most of the villagers were from the al-Naseri clan and related to Saddam.
"We are not really afraid, but what choice do I have," said Ali Sherif al-Naseri, who said he was a cousing of Saddam's. "It may not be totally fair but it's a good idea."
The Uja chief of police, Ahmed Hamza al-Naseri, said the military operation took him by surprise.
"I didn't know what was going on until I received a call in the middle of the night," he said. "This is all new to the people of Uja, they may be afraid at first, but they will accept it."
As an example to others, the police chief said he was first to get an ID card.
Back to Active Unit Main News Page