Good News From The War on Terror 3/11-3/13

IRAQ

IRAQI ARMY STOPS 27 TERRORIST CELL MEMBERS IN AS SADIYAH

AS SADIYAH, Iraq – The 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi army, in partnership with a military transition team from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted operations against specific terrorist cells Thursday through Saturday in As Sadiyah, Iraq, in the interest of improving stability for the area’s residents.

During the operation, 16 anti-Iraqi forces were killed and 11 suspected terrorists were detained. The detainees will be processed for further questioning.

The IA exploited a cache consisting of a sniper rifle, a mortar sight, a hand grenade, five AK-47s and improvised explosive device-making materials.

“The Iraqi army continues to distinguish itself through vigilance and values.  Their selfless service to the people of Diyala is providing confidence and security to the people while they improve their skills, knowledge and attributes as a professional organization,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala Province.

The soldiers also discovered and defused an IED which could have been used to target other innocent people or security forces.

After the operation, the IA provided medical care to citizens with minor medical issues, and passed out supplies to the local population.

The commander of the IA battalion also met with the As Sadiyah mayor and police chief in hopes of building a partnership to sustain the security and stability of the region.

“The ISF is improving everyday while securing the population and defeating a determined enemy,” Sutherland said.

FOREIGN TERRORIST FACILITATORS CAPTURED IN IRAQ RAIDS

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces captured 15 suspected terrorists during operations Sunday morning targeting al-Qaida in Iraq and foreign fighter facilitators.

Early morning operations conducted by Coalition Forces west of Abu Ghurayb led to the capture of a suspected foreign terrorist facilitation network leader and one of his associates.

Four suspects were detained northwest of Karmah and three suspects were detained in Fallujah, all with alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq and foreign fighter facilitation.

Northeast of Al Asad, three suspects who allegedly operate an al-Qaeda associated foreign fighter training camp were detained.

Coalition Forces also captured three suspected al-Qaeda members operating west of Taji.

"Coalition Forces are working diligently to eliminate al-Qaeda and foreign facilitation networks in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.  "These networks are a hindrance to the peace and stability the Iraqi people deserve."

COALITION FORCES CAPTURE 22 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS IN IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq –Coalition Forces captured 22 suspected terrorists during operations Monday morning targeting al-Qaeda and foreign fighter facilitators.

During operations in Mosul, Coalition Forces captured four suspected terrorists allegedly involved in the planning of improvised explosive devices attacks on friendly forces.

A senior foreign fighter facilitator was captured north of Habbaniyah, and two suspects who are reportedly involved in weapons facilitation were detained in Baghdad.

Northeast of Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces captured thirteen suspected terrorists with alleged involved in weapons movement and foreign fighter facilitation.

South of Amiriyah, two suspected terrorists with alleged ties to foreign fighter facilitation and weapons movement were also detained.

“Coalition Forces will continue deliberate and methodical operations in order to pursue, capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

COALITION FORCES CONTINUE TO PRESSURE BAGHDAD VBIED NETWORK

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Soldiers from eight brigade combat teams completed a nine-day sweep throughout Baghdad to disrupt the Baghdad vehicle borne improvised explosive device network on March 10. 

The operation was designed to attack the terrorist command and control

structure organizing and financing the deadly car bomb attacks.  

Over the course of the operation which began March 2 Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces struck 82 precision targets.  As a result, 24 terrorists were killed; four wounded and 90 suspected terrorists were detained.  Several of those detained were members of Al-Qaeda.

Coalition Forces also found or captured many weapons caches to include:

• 2 aircraft bombs
• 1 500-lb MK-82 bomb
• 50 155mm artillery shells
• 1 complete 82mm mortar system with over 100 rounds
• 4 122mm rockets
• 1 DSHKA heavy machine gun
• 6 rocket propelled grenades
• 2 RPK light machine guns
• 27 AK-47 assault rifles, five bolt action rifles
• 2 shotguns
• 6 pistols
• Numerous ammunition and other bomb making materials. 
  

The operation coined as Arrowhead Strike 8 included Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division; 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division; 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division; 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division; 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division; 4th Brigade, 25th Infantry Division; 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division; and other Special Operations Forces. 

"We wanted to put pressure on the entire network at one time" said Colonel Steve Townsend, Commander of 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

"We think the number of detainees we have should shake things up a bit.

Although car bombing has continued in recent days, their effectiveness against civilians has significantly decreased," said Colonel Townsend.

 

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