Soldiers Liberate Captives

January 21, 2008. "We could hear voices inside the room. They called out for help and told us they were prisoners." 

Spc. Christopher Nollenberg, a cavalry scout with the 2nd Infantry Division described the moment when he and his team discovered an Al Qaeda torture room - and its victims. Thus ended an eleven-day nightmare for two Iraqi men.

BAQUBA, Iraq - Coalition Forces liberated two Iraqi males with signs of torture from an al-Qaeda prison near Arab Jabar, south of Baquba in the early morning hours of Jan. 20.

Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division discovered the building, which was closed off by a heavy, deadbolt-locked door. The Soldiers were clearing the area of AQI during Operation Phantom Phoenix - a country-wide offensive to rid Iraq of extremists. Inside were two adult male prisoners. Both were contracted by Coalition Forces as electricians to install power lines. They had bruises on their backs and legs. Soldiers found braided wire cords, cables and a strap hooked to the ceiling used to hold the prisoners while they were beaten.

The liberated prisoners were transported to Forward Operating Base Warhorse for medical treatment, meals and questioning.

The men were kidnapped by al-Qaeda gunmen while driving to visit family in Baquba Jan. 9. They were bound and blindfolded and taken to the prison chamber. They were routinely beaten and questioned during their first three days of captivity. AQI operatives asked the men for names of Concerned Local Citizens in their towns, and also asked them who in the area supports the CLCs and who wants to join the CLC group.

Rifles were pointed at their heads and knives held to their throats. They were threatened daily and told they would be killed. One was beaten over the head with a pistol. Both men were bound and struck repeatedly with cables. They were fed rice with dates and one cup of dirty water a day, according to the liberated prisoners. There were 14 prisoners detained in the al-Qaeda chamber at one time. The other 12 prisoners were either killed or released, according to the liberated prisoners.

"These people don't deserve to live," said one victim. "I will remember for the rest of my life the day that the Coalition Forces gave me a second chance to live." The victims were released from FOB Warhorse and reunited with their families the afternoon of Jan. 20.

Press Release sent by 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division PAO Multi-National Division - North PAO. 

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