Good News From The War on Terror 3/20-3/21
IRAQ
NATIONAL POLICE ENTER TWO MOSQUES, SEIZE WEAPONS CACHES
BAGHDAD - Iraqi National Police entered the Al Houda and Al Aqsa mosques during a daytime operation in a southern district of the Iraqi capital March 18.
The National Police received tips from neighborhood residents of insurgent activities being conducted at the mosques.
Iraqi security forces seized two caches of weapons, munitions and bomb-making materials at each mosque. A total of five people were detained in connection with suspected anti-Iraqi activities and are being held by the police for questioning.
Six AK-47 assault rifles and a shotgun were found at the Al Aqsa mosque, along with small caliber ammunition and bomb-making materials.
Two AK-47s, and several mortar rounds and bomb-making material were confiscated in the Al Houda mosque.
The 1st Battalion of the 7th Brigade National Police entered the mosques, while MND-B forces provided the outer cordon for the operation.
No MND-B troops entered the mosque or immediate premises.
STRYKERS DISCOVER CACHE IN DIYALA PALM GROVES
BAQUBAH, Iraq - Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, uncovered an anti-Iraqi forces' operating cell with large quantities of weapons Sunday, while conducting combat patrols throughout the palm groves in Buhriz, an area within Baqubah, Iraq.
As Soldiers conducted operations, they initially discovered weapons and munitions in a one-room concrete building. After securing the site and conducting a more detailed search, the Soldiers discovered more munitions throughout the area, mainly in an underground chamber created by a septic tank.
"This success highlights the added benefit of the Stryker battalion working in Baqubah," said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav.
commander. "The discovery demonstrates the unique capabilities of this battalion, while simultaneously building the Iraqi army with a different type of force structure, all the while securing the population."
The search resulted in the discovery of large amounts of munitions to include direct-fire weapons systems such as a recoilless rifle, rocket-propelled grenade munitions, more than 1,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition, indirect fire munitions containing more than 30 mortar rounds, and mortar-firing systems; and improvised-explosive device materials to include approximately 300 blasting caps, detonation wire, batteries and timers, and other terrorist documents.
"Noteworthy is the immediate impact of the Stryker battalion and their discovery of this large cache after only 48 hours of offensive operations," Sutherland added. "They are a vital asset in disrupting the enemy's territory."
A Coalition Forces' explosive ordnance disposal unit arrived on site to conduct a controlled detonation.
IP CAPTURES INSURGENT LINKED TO IED ACTIVITY IN RAMADI
BAGHDAD - Iraqi Police captured a suspected insurgent, reportedly linked to an Improvised Explosive Device cell, during operations with Coalition advisors Mar 19 in Ramadi. The suspect is allegedly involved in multiple bombing attacks targeting Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces in the area.
Iraqi Forces detained 3 additional persons for questioning.
MND-B SOLDIERS FIND TWO WEAPONS CACHES, KILL ONE INSURGENT
CAMP TAJI, Iraq - A contraband search turned firefight yielded two caches for Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers March 19 in Falahat, Iraq.
Soldiers from Troop C, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment raided three buildings in Falahat, where they detained three suspected insurgents and confiscated two AK-47s, one shotgun and five magazines.
Troop C was preparing to enter a fourth building when a vehicle with four men drove by and fired weapons at the Soldiers, who reciprocated with shots of their own.
Three of the men fled the scene on foot but were captured by the Soldiers. Follow-on searches yielded the day's second cache: one 122 mm artillery shell, four fuses, one grenade, four rocket sleds, four ammunition vests, one AK-47 and more than seven magazines.
No U.S. Soldiers were killed or wounded in the engagement.
COALITION FORCES DETAIN NINE SUSPECTED TERRORISTS IN RAIDS
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces detained nine suspected terrorists Tuesday during raids targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
In Mosul, seven suspected terrorists were detained with alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq and attacks against Coalition Forces and the Iraqi police. One of the detainees reportedly procures chemicals for the production of improvised explosive devices.
In another raid southwest of Abu Ghurayb, Coalition Forces netted two suspected terrorists allegedly involved in moving foreign terrorists into Iraq.
FIVE TERRORISTS KILLED, EXPLOSIVES FACTORY DESTROYED
BAGHDAD, Iraq -Coalition Forces killed five terrorists, destroyed a bomb-making factory and detained three suspected terrorists during an operation Wednesday near Taji.
As ground forces entered the target buildings, they encountered several armed men. Coalition Forces used self-defense measures killing five terrorists and detaining three suspected terrorists.During the raid, Coalition Forces discovered an adjacent building was being used as an explosives factory. Inside the building, Coalition Forces found large caliber ammunition and explosive manufacturing materials including numerous 50-gallon barrels of explosive material.
Coalition Forces conducted an air strike to destroy the explosives factory, associated vehicles, ammunition and weapons.
At least four large secondary explosions were noted after the initial bomb was dropped on the target, indicating the destruction of the explosive material within and beneath the structure.
A careful analysis was conducted prior to the strike, and every possible precaution to avoid unnecessary collateral damage was taken. No Coalition Forces or civilians were injured during the operation.
"Coalition Forces will continue to systematically 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."
COALITION FORCES DESTROY WEAPONS CACHE, DETAIN 23 SUSPECTS
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces destroyed a weapons cache and detained 23 suspected terrorists Wednesday morning during raids targeting foreign fighter facilitator and al-Qaeda in Iraq networks.
During a raid near Balad, Coalition Forces detained 10 suspected terrorists and found a large amount of weapons in two targeted buildings.
The weapons found included numerous machineguns, assault rifles, AK-47s, grenades, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and a DShK anti-aircraft heavy machine gun. Due to the large amount of weapons found, Coalition Forces destroyed the two buildings and the weapons inside to prevent further use by terrorists.
West of Taji, Coalition Forces captured three suspects with alleged ties to vehicle-borne IED operations and foreign fighter facilitation.
Six suspected terrorists believed to be involved in foreign fighter facilitation were detained in Mosul.
Coalition Forces also conducted a raid west of Abu Ghurayb targeting foreign fighter facilitators. During the raid, ground forces detained four suspected terrorists at the targeted building.
"Coalition Forces will continue systematic and methodical operations in order to hunt down and capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "This is especially true when those terrorists are employing weapons that can damage or destroy Coalition aircraft or vehicle-borne IEDs that can be used in headline grabbing attacks against Iraqi citizens."
IRAQI POLICE CLEAR CENTRAL RAMADI
RAMADI, Iraq (March 20, 2007) - The Western Ramadi District Police conducted a massive police operation targeting insurgents today in Ramadi.
Coordinating between several stations within his district, Brig. Gen. Khalil Ibrahim Hamadi, chief of the Ramadi District Police, personally led more than 500 policemen as they conducted house-to-house searches in the capital city of Al Anbar Province.
"The Sons of Ramadi work tirelessly to eradicate criminals and bring them to justice," said Khalil. "Today we achieved a noble goal in providing security and stability to our families and the people of Ramadi."
During the 10-hour operation, named Operation Lions of Ramadi, police detained more than 45 suspected insurgents, confiscated propaganda material and discovered several caches containing assault rifles, machine guns, and mortar and artillery shells used to produce improvised explosive devices.
Insurgents utilizing an IED during the operation killed one civilian and injured five. The wounded were transported by local citizens to a nearby Joint Security Station, then evacuated to a Coalition medical facility for further treatment.
AFGHANISTAN
AFGHAN, COALITION FORCES TARGET TALIBAN IN HELMAND
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –Three suspected extremists were killed after firing at Afghan and Coalition forces during an operation near Gereshk in Helmand province early today.
The primary target of the operation was a known Taliban leader and facilitator of suicide bombers, believed to have controlled as many as 200 fighters in the area.
In addition to ordering assassinations of Afghan government officials, the militant leader is believed to have helped move suicide attackers into Helmand province by way of Kandahar and other nearby cities. There have been several recent attacks on Afghan and Coalition forces in the area, including improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire.
The combined Afghan-Coalition force responded to numerous shots from within the target compound. There were no injuries to any of the women and children in the compound, and there were no Afghan or Coalition casualties in the operation.
