Good News From The War On Terror 6/14-6/15
Coalition Forces target al-Qaeda leaders, detain 25 suspects
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 25 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operations throughout the country Wednesday and Thursday.
Coalition Forces raided a series of buildings west of Tarmiyah seeking to capture associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader. The ground force detained seven individuals on the scene for their alleged ties to al-Qaeda leader including one individual believed to be a close associate of Umar al Baghdadi.
During coordinated raids targeting a senior leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Coalition Forces detained nine suspected terrorists east of Amiriyah. The nine individuals detained are suspected of being associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq regional Shar’ia Emir.
In Mosul, Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to an al-Qaeda senior leader in Northern Iraq. One of the six suspects detained is believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader as well as an associate of the al-Qaeda Emir of Kirkuk.
Three suspected terrorist were also detained during operation in Baghdad. The individuals detained are suspected of being members of the Baghdad vehicle-borne IED network, which is responsible for conducting attacks on Iraqi civilians, as well as Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
Suspected insurgent leaders detained in Karabilah
BALAD – Iraqi Army Forces conducted a series of raids June 13 detaining suspected leaders of two separate terrorist cells in the Al Qaim area.
With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi soldiers detained the primary suspects at separate residences in the vicinity of Karabilah, located on the Euphrates River west of Al Qaim. Multiple documents and a computer were also seized during the operation.
The leaders, who allegedly oversee the al Qaeda in Iraq and Jaysh Al-Mujahidin cells in the Al Qaim area, are purportedly involved in the planning of a resurgence of attacks against Coalition Forces in the western Euphrates River valley.
Six terrorist suspects caught through civilian tips
BAGHDAD – Working with local Iraqi civilians June 12, Iraqi Forces raided four houses in Bulayj and detained seven suspected al-Qaeda insurgents believed to be responsible for improvised explosive device, rocket and rocket propelled grenade attacks against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
With coalition advisers present for support, Iraqi soldiers raided several residences in the villages of Cahira and Bulayji in northwest Iraq.
During the raid on one house, four suspects were detained. These four have been identified as those believed responsible for a June 11 improvised explosive device attack against Coalition Forces in the Bulayj area.
Continuing with their mission, Iraqi forces gave chase to a suspicious person running from a neighboring house. He was detained for questioning after being found hiding in a bathroom. The final two people, a father and son believed to be main players in recent small arms and RPG attacks in Bi’aj, Iraq, were detained in the fourth target house.
Besides the seven suspected terrorists detained, a recently purchased new Toyota truck used for attacks in Bi’aj, a Glock pistol, a shotgun, four AK-47 assault rifles and seven cell phones were confiscated.
After securing the site of the security operation, the soldiers transported the detainees to a detainment facility where they will be questioned regarding their alleged involvement in terrorist activity. The seized materials will also be analyzed.
East Rashid raid nets nine roadside bomb-making suspects
BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division-Baghdad troops launched a successful early morning raid in the east Doura neighborhood of the Rashid District, detaining nine individuals suspected of running a bomb-making cell June 14.
Soldiers from “Bandit Troop,” 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment seized the detainees without incident. The individuals detained are believed to be involved in an Al-Qaeda roadside bomb and recruiting ring that had recently launched attacks against the unit in Doura.
Tips from local residents led Simonsen’s troop to conduct raid, which was executed just after midnight. The suspects will be held for further questioning.
Sadr City raid nets large weapons cache, six suspects
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops teamed up with a platoon of Iraqi National Police to conduct a targeted raid in the eastern Baghdad Sadr City District June 13, seizing a sizeable weapons cache and six suspects.
The early morning raid began before 3 a.m., as members of 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and a platoon of Iraqi National Police arrived at the target location.
The troops found three complete 60mm mortar systems, one complete 82mm mortar system, one complete 120mm mortar system, four 120mm mortar rounds, 32 60mm mortar rounds, three 107mm rockets, one rifle scope, two AK-47 rifles, two sets of body armor and a variety of weapons manuals.
Six suspects were seized in the raid at the site. All six are being held for further questioning.
Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces detain 10, key Al-Qaeda-Iraq leader killed
MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces conducted search operations in western Mosul, detaining suspected anti-Iraqi forces and killing known Al Qaeda terrorist leader in Mosul, Sa’id Hamza.
Coalition Forces killed Kamal Jalil Bakr ‘Uthman, also known as Sa’id Hamza, during an operation targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Mosul June 12. Sa’id Hamza was known to be the al-Qaeda in Iraq military emir of Mosul. Intelligence reports indicate he planned, coordinated and facilitated suicide bombings in the Mosul area.
Other recent ISF and CF actions in Ninewa Province include the following:
• IA soldiers from 2nd Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, and CF Soldier from 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, detained the 10 AIF, suspected of emplacing improvised explosive devices.
• IA and CF detained three suspected insurgents operating from an ice cream factory in a raid conducted in eastern Mosul on June 11. The ISF took electronic and multimedia equipment from the scene as well as documents in various stages of forgery.
Iraqi Army kills insurgent commander responsible for EFP attacks, six others detained
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Forces conducted an afternoon operation June 14 that resulted in the death of a commander of an insurgent militia group and the detention of six other suspected insurgents.
The insurgent commander, Shaykh Arkan Hefez Al Zubaydi, was responsible for conducting improvised explosive device attacks on innocent civilians and Iraqi and Coalition Forces in As Suwayrah. He was also suspected of facilitating weapons transfers, ordering attacks on coalition bases, conducting judicial killings and coordinating the abduction and murder of an Iraqi Force member.
While conducting the operation, several suspects fled into a nearby government building. Upon entering the building, Iraqi Forces came under fire and responded with well-aimed fire, which lead to the death of the insurgent commander. Six other suspected insurgents were detained during the operation.
Iraqi Forces also seized two grenades, two pistols, five cell phones and two computers.
