NEWS
RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES
CENTRAL
COMMAND
7115 South
Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB,
Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813)
827-5894;
FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
December 14, 2003
Release Number: 03-12-32
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SADDAM HUSSEIN CAPTURED, IN
COALITION
CUSTODY
Forces from the 4th Infantry
Division,
coalition forces and special operations forces captured former Iraqi
dictator,
Saddam Hussein, at approximately 8 p.m. local time yesterday in a
remote
farm house near Tikrit, Iraq.
Operation “Red Dawn” was
launched after
gaining actionable intelligence identifying two likely locations near
the
town of Ad Dwar. The First Brigade Combat team of the 4th ID was
assigned
the mission to capture or kill Saddam Hussein.
The Forces involved in the
operation
consisted of approximately 600 soldiers including cavalry, artillery,
aviation,
engineer and special operations forces. The forces cleared the two
objectives
but initially did not find the target. An additional suspicious
site
was identified and searched.
The area was a small,
walled, mud hut
compound with a metal lean-to structure. Within the structure a “spider
hole” entrance, camouflaged with bricks and dirt was located. The hole
was about 6-8 feet deep with space allowing an individual to lie down.
Saddam Hussein was found hiding at the bottom of the hole. He was
captured
without resistance and is in the control of coalition forces at
an
undisclosed location
Items confiscated during the
raid include
two AK-47 rifles, a pistol, $750,000.00 U.S. dollars and one
white/orange
taxi. Two other individuals who have not been identified were also
detained.
No one was injured in the
operation.
Saddam appears in good health and is undergoing further evaluation.
