MARKO DROBNJAKOVIC

Photography: The Raiders of Diyala

Neither Hearts Nor Minds 

Night raids are common practice in modern warfare and were routinely used as part of the U.S. counterinsurgency tactics during thir occupation of Iraq. However, lack of clear vision and the element of surprise, necessary in such operations, create panic, induce fear and alienate the soldiers from the very people they are supposed to help and protect. 

  • U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, detain a man during a night raid, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
  • A family is ordered to stand against a wall as their house is searched by U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, during a night raid, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
  • A man raises his hands as he is held at gunpoint by U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, while they conduct a night raid on the outskirts of Muqdadiyah, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
  • A youth holds his identity card as he is interrogated by U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
  • U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, interrogate a man during a night raid, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
  • Two women and a child are awoken by U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, as they search their house during a night raid, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
  • A U.S. army soldier from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, interrogates a family in their home during a night raid, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
  • Women are startled as their family member is detained by U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, during a night raid, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
  • A woman sits stunned in her bedroom, as U.S. army soldiers from Blackfoot Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, search her home and detain her husband during a night raid, Diyala province, Iraq, 2007.
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