25/11/2004

Black Watch swoops against militants near Fallujah

Soldiers from the Black Watch battlegroup have made a number of arrests as part of a major crackdown in a residential area thought to harbour insurgents.

News agencies have reported that more than 20 people are being questioned today following a search operation on the east bank of the Euphrates close to Fallujah involving over 500 British troops. The total strength of the British deployment in the area totals 850 soldiers, which includes assorted support units.

The main target for the operation was a stretch of road dubbed 'Millionaires Row', a location formerly popular with senior members of Saddam's Baathist regime. Militants fleeing the battle in Fallujah are thought to have sought refuge in the area.

The Black Watch, joined by US Marines and Iraqi special forces, moved in at around 10pm last night. Using more aggressive tactics, the troops used tanks to force entry to some homes and threw stun grenades into rooms to disorientate the occupants. There was no resistance and there were no casualties.

(gmcg/sp)

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