Posted: 10/01/2004
The Iraqi SWAT team, pictured here, rounded up 87 suspected insurgents in a citywide sweep of the south-central Iraqi city of Iskandariyah Oct. 18. An emerging elite unit within the Iraqi security forces, the SWAT team is playing a key role in restoring security and stability in Northern Babil province, where the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has been operating since July. The Iraqis live, train and operate alongside the MEU's Force Reconnaissance platoon. The combined force has carried out dozens of precision raids and cordon-and-knock searches aimed at capturing anti-Iraqi forces and disrupting their activity.