Good News From Iraq And Afghanistan 3/2-3/4

IRAQ

EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED DURING SALMAN PAK RAID

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists during a raid Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operating in the Salman Pak region.
Intelligence reports indicate a significant number of individuals involved with the AQIZ terrorist network currently operating in the area. Activities in this area have been linked to a roadside and vehicle-borne explosives network. Terrorists in the area are also believed to be involved in smuggling weapons and facilitating foreign fighters.
During the raid, in which Coalition Forces were repeatedly confronted by small arms and mortar fires, Coalition Forces identified three armed terrorists maneuvering toward them with hostile intent. Ground forces engaged the enemy, killing the three terrorists.
Twenty minutes later, ground forces were again confronted by eight terrorists who began firing upon them. Ground forces returned fire, killing four terrorists. The other four fled the area.
Ground forces also witnessed armed terrorists in a vehicle who were accessing a weapons cache and removing small arms. Coalition Forces engaged, killing one terrorist. Two terrorists were wounded and fled.
Coalition Forces recovered several sniper rifles, AK-47s and rocket-propelled launchers from one of the engagement sites.
"Successful coalition operations continue to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations, restricting freedom of movement and reducing the organization's manpower pool," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesman.

THREE SUSPECTED TERRORISTS DETAINED IN BAGHDAD RAID

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists during a raid in Baghdad Sunday morning.

The targeted suspected terrorist, who was detained on the scene, is reported to be involved in the procurement and distribution of weapons, including explosives to conduct improvised explosive devices attacks against Iraqi citizens and Coalition Forces.

While conducting the raid, Coalition Forces entered a mosque where the targeted suspect was hiding. Coalition Forces detained the targeted suspect along with two other suspected terrorists.

During the operation, one local Iraqi woman received wounds to her thigh and head. Coalition medical personnel treated her onsite and she was transported to a local hospital for further care.

“Coalition forces soldiers respect the sanctity and holiness of all places of worship and exercise the utmost restraint when planning for and considering the conduct of operations in and around mosques,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

“We do not enter mosques for the sole purposes of disrupting insurgent activities or conducting a show of force. Mosque entries occur only as a last resort, and only when substantial and credible evidence shows insurgent activity is occurring there – i.e., meetings, storage of weapons, harboring of insurgent leaders,” he said.

IRAQI FORCES CAPTURE SUSPECTED WEAPONS SMUGGLER IN BASRA

Baghdad – Special Iraqi Army Forces captured an alleged weapons smuggler and trafficker during operations with Coalition advisers Mar. 4 in Basra.

The suspect reportedly funnels weapons and improvised explosive devices to rogue Jaysh Al Mahdi elements for use in attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

Iraqi forces captured the alleged trafficker without incident. The operation, against a suspected rogue JAM member, demonstrates that Iraqi forces operate at will throughout Iraq to combat criminal and violent elements undermining the security of Iraq.

CLEARING OPERATIONS BEGIN IN SADR CITY

BAGHDAD - More than 600 Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers and 550 Iraqi security forces began a clearing operation in the eastern district known as Sadr City March 4.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, with two Stryker companies from 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, conducted a combined clearing operation beginning in the early morning hours March 4, teaming up with the 8th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi National Police Division and the 3d Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division.

"During operations today, local residents were receptive and cooperative with coalition and Iraqi forces," said Lt. Col. Scott R. Bleichwehl, MND-B spokesman. "The operation is designed to set secure conditions for the citizens of Sadr City."

During the operation March 4, Bleichwehl said no weapons caches were reported or suspects detained. He added there were no incidents of violence, and no casualties to coalition forces, Iraqi security forces or civilians.

AIR STRIKE LEADS TO HOSTAGE RESCUE; WEAPONS CACHE UNCOVERED

BAGHDAD, IRAQ – An assessment performed by Coalition Forces following an air strike in Arab Jabour on Saturday led to the rescue of four Iraqi citizens and the uncovering of a terrorist weapons cache today.

Four Iraqi citizens were liberated from a building near the site of yesterday’s air strike. According to one of the liberated hostages, the terrorists holding them captive fled immediately after the air strike. All four hostages were treated on site for various injuries. One of the hostages said he had been held captive for 50 days.

At the site of the air strike, Ground forces also found remnants of an anti-aircraft heavy machine gun known as a DShK and multiple rocket propelled grenades and grenade launchers. Additionally, a DShK Tripod was found dug in the ground along the Tigris River with spent ammunition cartridges.

Coalition Forces called in the air strike yesterday after they began receiving small arms fire from several armed men across the Tigris River and were unable to safely subdue enemy fire.

Coalition Forces used two precision guided bombs in the strike destroying a small structure and killing seven terrorists hiding inside. A large secondary explosion was noted after the initial bombs were dropped on the target, indicating the presence of explosive material within the structure.

AFGHANISTAN

8 ARRESTED IN COMBING AFGHAN-COALITION OPERAT ION

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN – Afghan and Coalition forces arrested one known terrorist and seven other suspects early Friday in the Gorwek Valley area of Paktika Province in connection with aiding terrorist fighters and facilitating terrorist operations.
Reliable information led the combined force to the compound, where the inhabitants complied with a request for peaceful surrender.
No shots were fired, and there were no injuries to Afghans or Coalition forces or reported damages during the operation.