Good News From The War on Terror 3/8-3/9
IRAQ
IRAQI ARMY, ATTACK HELICOPTERS CAPTURE 32 INSURGENTS
CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - Iraqi soldiers from the 1st and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Division and Iraqi police from Tikrit's Emergency Service Unit completed operations today in Duluiyah and the
Jabouri Peninsula where they detained eight suspected terrorists.
U.S. Soldiers from Company A, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, and attack helicopters assisted the Iraqi-led operations, which began at the request of the local populace.
"This operation demonstrates the ability of the [Iraqi security force] to react and conduct complex operations. The support of the forces from Tikrit has been outstanding, and it's impressive that the Iraqi army is able to mass forces at different points in the province," said Lt. Col. Kevin Dunlop, commander, 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment.
"Operations like this are possible only because local people come forward with information and ask for help. The more information and cooperation the Iraqi army receives, the more frequently it can conduct these missions, so that security is provided for everyone."
In Bayji more than 400 Iraqi army soldiers from the 2nd Strategic Infrastructure Brigade detained more than 24 suspected terrorists during joint operations. Paratroopers from the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, provided quick reaction assets.
"The Iraqis are taking great strides in leading and planning operations," said Bryan Owens, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. "Their continued success will help to make
Salah Ad Din a peaceful place for all its citizens."
CCCI CONVICTS 18 INSURGENTS, 3 SENTENCED TO LIFE, 2 SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted 18 security detainees from Feb. 25 to March 1, for various crimes including joining an armed group to unsettle the stability and security of Iraq, possession of illegal weapons, personal identification violations and an illegal border crossing violation.
The trial court sentenced two Iraqis to life imprisonment after finding them guilty of violation of Article 4/1 of Iraq's Terrorist Law. The convicted Iraqis were captured during a Multi-National Forces targeted raid to capture known Al-Qaeda members Nov. 11, 2006. According to the trial summary, the men were known members of a terrorist cell that conducted at least six improvised explosive attacks against Iraqi Forces. The documents said one of the convicted men admitted to planting two IEDs against Multi-National Forces with the other convicted man.
One other man was sentenced to life imprisonment. A foreign national was convicted by the Central Court of Iraq for violation of Article 24/1 of the Iraqi Penal Code for illegal border crossing. The man was apprehended Feb. 24, 2005 in Ramadi by Multi-National Forces. According to the trial summary, the convicted man repeatedly admitted he had entered Iraq illegally to wage war against Americans. The summary said the man had changed his opinion of Americans while in custody of Multi-National Forces and regretted coming to Iraq.
Two Iraqi men were sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for possession of illegal weapons in violation of Order 3/2003. The first conviction is a result of a Multi-National Forces traffic stop in Fahama, Sept. 10, 2006 which led to a search of the convicted man's home. A search of the convicted man's house revealed, a weapons cache that included an AK-47, magazines, grenades and a bullet proof vest. A video of an improvised explosive device explosion and pictures of the convicted man posing with a pistol and a Rocket Propelled Grenade were also found on the convicted man's cell phone.
The second 30-year conviction resulted from a cordon and knock operation conducted Dec. 23, 2006 by Multi-National Forces near Rawah. A search of the convicted man's compound revealed a cache of AK-47s, magazines, detonation cords, fuse caps, shaped charges, grenades and machine gun ammunition.
The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted the remaining 11 Iraqi men from one to 20 years imprisonment for weapons violation charges, using forged identification and the illegal use of another person's documents. Two Syrians were also convicted by the Court. One Syrian was sentenced to five years imprisonment for taking another person's documents and the other was sentenced to six months imprisonment for disobeying military orders.
Since its reorganization, under an amendment to CPA order 11, in April 2004, the Central Criminal Court has held 1,922 trials for Coalition-apprehended insurgents. The proceedings have resulted in the conviction of 1,658 individuals with sentences ranging from imprisonment to death.
SEVEN TERRORISTS KILLED DURING RAID ON SUSPECTED VBIED CELL
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces killed seven terrorists during an operation Wednesday and captured six others today while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Intelligence reports indicated terrorists directing vehicle-borne improvised explosive device operations and the distribution of IEDs and weapons were operating at a targeted location in Mosul.
Coalition Forces approaching the targeted area by helicopter received enemy fire from several vehicles. Coalition Forces returned fire from the helicopter, killing five terrorists.
Coalition Forces continued their mission and searched the targeted buildings and found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG rounds, and assault weapon magazines. They destroyed the weapons cache on the site to prevent further use by terrorists.
After clearing the targeted buildings, ground forces began receiving sniper and machine gun fire from another building. Ground forces returned fire killing two terrorists.
Today, four suspected terrorists with alleged ties to IED attacks were captured in an operation northeast of Karmah. Two more suspects were captured southeast of Al Qa'im in an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq associated weapons dealer.
"Coalition Forces will continue to successfully kill or capture al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists regardless of where they may hide or operate," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
SUSPECTED AQ MEDIA EMIR, ALLEGED "BUTCHER" CAPTURED IN RAIDS
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and captured 16 suspected terrorists including an alleged al-Qaeda media emir during raids Friday morning throughout Iraq.
In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured an al-Qaeda related suspect known as "The Butcher" who is allegedly responsible for numerous kidnappings, beheadings, and suicide operations in the Ramadi and Mosul areas. Coalition Forces captured five additional suspects and killed one terrorist during the raid.
During operations in Fallujah, Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists with alleged ties to foreign fighter facilitation.
Northeast of Karmah, a suspected al-Qaeda media emir was captured along with seven others. The suspects are also believed to be part of an al-Qaeda courier network.
"Coalition Forces will continue to target al-Qaeda in Iraq and foreign terrorist facilitators regardless of where they may hide," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
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