Tikrit, Nov 12: Iraqi police today conducted a massive house-to-house search of ousted President Saddam Hussein's hometown in an operation the US military hailed as the first conducted without US help in the city. US troops and tanks were on stand-by in case violence erupted during the operation, but they kept away from the North Tikrit area where 400 policemen searched for weapons or anti-coalition fighters, including those who shot down a Backhawk helicopter last week. A few hours after the operation started, the officers had found several mortar rounds, rocket propelled-grenades and explosives. Armed with rifles, the officers politely knocked on doors, introduced themselves and shook hands with residents before entering the houses, looking for any clue weapons may have been stashed away.
They wore no bullet-proof jackets or helmets, just light blue uniforms, unlike US troops, who conduct raids in full combat gear.


Their low-key and often friendly approach contrasted sharply with that employed by the occupying forces, who face major cultural and linguistic barriers.
"Even if we search a single house, Iraqis feel we're intruding," said Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Russell, who commands the 4th infantry division's 1-22 Battalion in Tikrit.
Bureau Report