Operation Polar Schism detains six in Owesat


AL-OWESAT, Iraq — A coalition operation called Polar Schism, carried out July 6, sought information about two Soldiers still missing after a May 12 predawn kidnapping, nabbing six local nationals thought to know about the troops.
Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., air-assaulted into the small village on the western bank of the Euphrates River with troops of the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.
Two area mosques were searched by the Iraqi soldiers while the coalition troops provided an outer security cordon of the areas. The operation sought anyone with ties to or knowledge of the kidnapping.
Tips from al-Owesat as well as from the eastern side of the river indicated that the missing Soldiers are believed to be in the village, although informants had no further information.
Informants said that al Qaeda affiliated cells were using the mosques as safe houses.
The six men are being held for questioning.