Iraqi Security Forces Kill Foreign Fighter Near Salman Pak

MAJ. JOE SOWERS
3RD HBCT, 3RD INF. DIV.
FOB HAMMER — Iraqi policemen from the 1st Brigade, 1st National Police Division killed a foreign fighter from Yemen Sept. 27 southwest of Salman Pak.

This is the first confirmation of foreign fi ghters operating in areas patrolled by 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Soldiers or their Iraqi counterparts. The Yemenese-born fighter, Abu Muhammad Al-Yameni, was armed with a PKC machine gun and grenades
at the time of his death.

“This is a great example of the Iraqi National Police conducting independent operations,” said Maj. Dave Fivecoat, Delaware, Ohio, 3rd HBCT operations officer. “This foreign fighter was definitely a threat to the people of Salman Pak and their government.”

Soldiers from the 3rd HBCT work daily with policemen from the 1-1 NP to secure Salman Pak and its surrounding communities.

“Working with our Iraqi Security Force counterparts has been one of our priorities from the beginning,” said Fivecoat. “We see this as a positive step in the development for the National Police in Salman Pak.”

The Mada’in Qada is a portion of the Baghdad Province just east of Baghdad. The 3rd HBCT has been working with various Iraqi Security Forces since their deployment to the Qada in March 2007.

The 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division, is from Fort Benning, Ga.