Good News From Iraq 2/27-3/1
SUSPECTED AL-QAEDA EMIR, ELEVEN OTHERS DETAINED IN RAIDS THROUGHOUT IRAQ
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces detained 12 suspected terrorists including a suspected Al-Qaeda in Iraq emir during raids Tuesday morning targeting foreign fighter facilitators and the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq emir and three of his associates. Based on intelligence reports, these suspects are allegedly involved in the production of improvised explosive devices.
Also in Baghdad, Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists who have alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq and anti-Coalition Forces activities.
Two suspected terrorists were detained during a raid in Mosul.
Intelligence reports indicate the suspected terrorists have ties with an al-Qaeda terrorist who has coordinated attacks against Iraqi security and U.S. military personnel.
Another suspected terrorist was detained in Fallujah during a raid targeting foreign fighter facilitators.
Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists in Tikrit who are believed to have links with terrorists involved in explosives shipments from other countries and facilitating the production of vehicle-borne IEDs.
In Ramadi, Coalition Forces netted a suspected terrorist who is allegedly involved in courier activities for al-Qaeda terrorists in Iraq.
"These raids, taking place all across Iraq this morning show that Coalition Forces continue to make progress dismantling the terrorist networks," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
"The capture of these detainees reduces the ability of the terrorist networks to operate, and increases the safety of all Iraqi citizens, Iraqi forces, and Iraq's Multi-National partners," he said.
EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED, SIX SUSPECTS DETAINED IN RAIDS
BAGHDAD, Iraq -Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained six suspects during operations Wednesday morning targeting foreign fighter facilitators and the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
Intelligence reports indicated terrorists associated with small arms and rocket attacks against Coalition Forces were operating northeast of Taji.
As Coalition Forces approached the targeted area, they noticed several armed men maneuvering toward them in a nearby palm grove. Coalition Forces called in close air support to eliminate the threat. Rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft used precision fires killing eight armed terrorists. Two suspected terrorists were detained.
Coalition Forces also captured two suspected terrorists in Amiriyah and two more in Baghdad with alleged ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
"Coalition Forces continue methodical, deliberate efforts to eliminate terrorism in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
IRAQI SWAT CAPTURES 8 MAHDAWIYAH INSURGENT GROUP MEMBERS
BAGHDAD - Al Hillah Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics personnel captured eight suspected members of the Mahdawiyah insurgent group during operations with Coalition advisors Feb. 26 in the Wardiyah district of Al Hillah. The suspects are believed to be involved in attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces in the area.
The suspects are allegedly part of the insurgent group that fought against Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces Jan. 28 in Najaf. The suspects are believed to threatening the lives of persons within the leadership of Iraqi Security Forces in Babil Province.
There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.
IRAQI POLICE DETAINS FOUR SUSPECTS DURING OPERATIONS AGAINST IED CELL NEAR SAMARRA
BAGHDAD - Samarra Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces captured a suspected insurgent bomber during operations Feb. 27 southwest of Samarra.
The suspect was captured during operations targeting an insurgent improvised explosive device cell conducting attacks against Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces. The cell is responsible for emplacing IEDs targeting Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces along Main Supply Route TAMPA and other locations in Samarra.
Three additional suspects were detained by Iraqi Police for further questioning.
Iraqi and Coalition Forces caused only minimal damage during operations.
There were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition Forces casualties.
HOSTAGES FREED BY PARATROOPERS, WEAPONS CACHE SECURED
KALSU, Iraq - Dismounted paratroopers located an insurgent safe house uncovering a weapons cache and freeing two hostages south of Baghdad Feb. 26.
Paratroopers from 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division located the safe house, where they found the two hostages and a weapons cache near Mahmudiyah.
The cache contained three AK-47s, 14 30-round magazines, one 100-round magazine drum, two fragmentary grenades, one cell phone and one hand held radio.
The freed hostages were given immediate medical treatment.
GOLDEN DRAGONS DISCOVER MASSIVE CACHE SOUTHWEST OF BAGHDAD
YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops found and seized a massive weapons cache along one of Baghdad’s main highways Feb. 28.
Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) discovered the cache while conducting a combat patrol along Mulla Fayad Highway, west of Yusufiyah.
The cache consisted of2 Sanger missiles with launch tubes,
200 meters of fuse,
1000 12.7mm Dishka rounds,
2 122mm rockets,
18 60mm mortar rounds,
80 hand grenades,
6 rocket stabilizers,
10 120mm mortar tail fins,
100 60mm mortar fuses,
5 106mm artillery rounds,
1 57mm rocket,
1 rocket-propelled grenade,
1 57mm anti-aircraft round,
2 RPG-9s, 60 120mm mortars,
2 unknown mortar rounds,
1 RPG launcher,
1 60mm mortar illumination round,
1 Dishka heavy machinegun receiver,
20 canisters,
10 cylinders of homemade explosives,
2000 7.62mm rounds,
14 57mm rockets,
40 pounds of homemade explosives
200 ZPU-1 anti-aircraft rounds.
“The (find) will put a dent in the terrorists’ ability to make improvised explosive devices,” said Maj. Brock Jones, the executive officer with the Golden Dragons and a native of Lakewood, Ohio. “The Soldiers did well today – their familiarity with the area of operations allowed them to locate the cache”
The battalion continues to search the area for more caches. The cache was destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by an explosive ordnance team.
Thirty 120mm mortar rounds are laid out for inventory following a massive weapons cache discovered by Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) along Mullah Fayad Highway, just west of Yusufiyah, Iraq Feb. 28.
THREE TERRORISTS KILLED, 16 OTHERS DETAINED IN OPERATIONS
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained 16 suspected terrorists during operations Thursday morning targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq.
During an operation west of Ramadi, Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained six suspected terrorists with alleged ties to foreign fighter facilitation.
South of Baghdad, Coalition Forces killed one armed terrorist who charged at them as they entered a targeted building.
Six suspected terrorists allegedly associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq were detained in operations in Bayji, and four others with alleged ties to foreign fighter facilitation were detained in Ramadi.
“Coalition Forces will continue to successfully kill or capture al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists regardless of where they may hide or operate,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “No place is safe for a terrorist in Iraq.”
OPERATION SABER BOSS: 4 WEAPONS CACHES, 10 KILLED, 5 DETAINED
DIYALA - The 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, in partnership with Coalition Forces from 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, seized four weapons caches, killed approximately 10 insurgents and detained five suspected terrorists during a combined operation, Operation Saber Boss, in Muqdadiya, Iraq, Monday.
While conducting combat patrols, the Soldiers located caches consisting of more than 50 rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive device making material, several small-arms munitions, more than 15 various rockets and seven sticks of explosives.
The forces also discovered three IEDs and recovered a stolen fire truck that was being prepared as a vehicle-borne IED.
The cache items were secured for disposal and the suspects were taken in for further questioning.* In other operations throughout Diyala, a joint patrol secured a
cache site in Baqubah, Tuesday consisting of a VBIED, TNT, propane tanks and other IED making material. Coalition EOD destroyed the VBIED.* On Monday a coalition patrol discovered another cache in Baqubah
consisting of a complete mortar system including three rounds, as well as a recoilless rifle and 150 rounds. Iraqi EOD responded and destroyed the mortar rounds while coalition forces secured the rest of the cache.
"As we continue to discover these caches, the terrorists' abilities are diminished, and their ability to harm the security forces and the innocent people of Diyala is denied," said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala province. "We will continue to aggressively target these individuals who are using acts of fear and intimidation against the innocent people of this province."
