Good News From Iraq

Suspected Weapons Trafficker Captured

BAGHDAD - Special Iraqi Army forces captured a suspected weapons trafficker during operations with Coalition advisers Feb. 21 in eastern Baghdad.
He is believed to be a key Baghdad facilitator for networks moving advanced improvised explosive devices and components into Iraq.
The suspect was caught in the Baladiat area. He is allegedly linked to several smuggling and distribution network leaders responsible for supplying advanced IEDs used in attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.
Two additional persons were detained for questioning.
Iraqi forces carried out operations with minimal damage to the objective. There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.

Bad Iraqi Police Official Detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq - 5th Iraqi Army Division forces and Coalition Forces detained a senior Iraqi Police official during operations Feb. 21 in Baqubah.
Credible intelligence indicates the suspect uses his position to provide cover for his alleged involvement in the murder, torture, kidnapping and sectarian violence of Iraqi citizens in Diyala Province.
The suspect is believed to be a leader within an illegally armed groups operating in Baqubah and Diyala Province and allegedly provides information on Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi civilians to illegally armed elements.
The suspect was detained in his office building by Iraqi and Coalition Forces without incident. The building is located next to the Government Center in Baqubah and no damage was caused during the course of operations.

Iraqi Courts Convicts 23 Terrorists

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted 23 security detainees from Feb. 11 - 17, for various crimes including possession of illegal weapons, possessing fake identification, passport violations and illegal border crossing.
The trial court found a Moroccan man guilty of Article 24 of the Iraqi Penal Code for illegal boarder crossing. On Dec. 29, 2004, The defendant crossed the border into Iraq and was apprehended by Iraqi Boarder Patrol (IBP). After being questioned by IBP, the defendant was further questioned upon suspicion of being a suicide bomber affiliated with Al Qaeda, these suspicions were validated. The defendant was then transferred to MNF custody. On Feb. 11 the trial panel found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The trial court found two Iraqi men guilty of illegal possession of special category weapons in violation of Order 3/2003 Section 6, Paragraph 2B. On Dec. 10, 2006, MNF detained the defendants during a security patrol near Haditha after spotting suspicious antennas on the roof of the defendants' house. Inside the house MNF found ID making material, a timer, a circuit tester and an HK magazine. MNF then searched two sheds within the compound and found numerous rifles, handguns, explosives, hand grenades, ammunition and military radios. On Feb. 13 the trial panel found the defendants guilty and sentenced them each to 30 years imprisonment.
The trial court found four Iraqi men guilty of illegal possession of special category weapons in violation of Order 3/2003 Section 6, Paragraph 2B. On Nov. 15, 2006, MNF were conducting a targeted sweep near Turki Village. MNF saw one defendant carrying a pistol. MNF then chased after him when he ran away. MNF soon came under attack from a shed and one American soldier was killed. MNF defended themselves and killed one of the insurgents and captured three others. The original defendant who had the pistol was apprehended by another team of soldiers nearby. Inside the shed and on its roof were a total of four AK-47s, six hand grenades, one PKC heavy machine gun, dozens of Republican Guard uniforms and 16 AK-47 magazines loaded with armor piercing rounds along with other weapons. All the defendants tested positive for explosives residue. On Feb. 14 the trial panel found all the defendants guilty and sentenced them each to 30 years imprisonment.
Those convicted of passport violations, possessing and using false ID's, illegal boarder crossing and illegal possession of special category weapons were, sentenced from between two years to life imprisonment.
Those convicted totaled 19 Iraqis and one each from Egypt, Morocco, Sudan and Yemen.
Since its reorganization, under an amendment to CPA order 13, in April 2004, the Central Criminal Court has held 1,888 trials for Coalition-apprehended insurgents. The proceedings have resulted in the conviction of 1,630 individuals with sentences ranging up to death.

Iraqi Citizens Stand Up To Terrorists

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Local citizens and Iraqi Police denied an al Qaeda in Iraq convoy entry into Jumaylah, 60 km west of Baghdad, early Feb.
20, firing on the convoy and detonating a suicide truck bomb that injured one Iraqi Police officer, one civilian and the bomber.
U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry
(Airborne) responded to the attack where Iraqi Police were already on the scene.
An Iraqi officer reported that AQI terrorists seeking a safe haven within the town near Karmah had been threatening the citizens over the past several months. The citizens responded by forming a check point within the town to deny AQI any sanctuary.
At about 4 a.m., an Iraqi Policemen attempted to stop the seven-vehicle convoy from entering the town. When the convoy continued, local civilians manning the checkpoint opened fire and one vehicle equipped as a car bomb exploded.
The injured Iraqi officer was medically evacuated to a coalition hospital. The civilian injured in the attack received minor injuries and was treated on the scene by Coalition Forces.
"The leaders and soldiers of 3/509 applaud the citizens of Jumaylah and others in Karmah who are ready to stand against the terrorists," said Maj. Paul Edgar, 3/509 executive officer. "They are the true heroes and patriots of Iraq."
The driver of the vehicle used as a car bomb survived the incident and was transported by Coalition Forces to the Joint Coordination Center in Fallujah for questioning where he was later identified as a Syrian national. Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces are currently attempting to locate the remaining insurgents involved in the incident.

Al Qaeda in Iraq-Denied

MOSUL, Iraq - Company D, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Soldiers, teamed with 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division and conducted a raid on 12 houses in the Rashidayah Neighborhood, targeting known safe houses for AQIZ members on Feb. 14.
D Co. entered the neighborhood and began detaining targeted individuals and other persons identified as anti-Iraqi forces, while 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division troops established blocking positions to isolate the objective.
Seven individuals were detained along with seven AK-47 magazines, rounds for a DsHK machine gun, two pistols and ammunition, 92 identification cards and $50,000 in Iraqi Dinar.
IA soldiers continue to team with Coalition forces in rooting out the sources and funding for insurgent terrorist acts in the Ninewa Province.