Good News From The War On Terror 6/16
Citizen tip leads Wolfhounds to key insurgent leaders
TIKRIT, Iraq – An Iraqi citizen tip led Coalition Forces to two wanted insurgent cell leaders and nine other suspected insurgents, who were captured during operations June 15, near the village of Hawijah, 40 miles southwest of the city of Kirkuk.
The two men wanted for coordinating attacks against coalition and Iraqi Security Forces and aiding Al Qaeda in Iraq were captured by Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. There were no reports of coalition or civilian casualties.
The 2-27 Infantry Battalion is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
BAGHDAD – With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Army Forces from the city of Irbil in Diyanah Province, conducted an early morning air assault operation in Mashat Village June 6 detaining two insurgent leaders and five suspected insurgents.
The suspects, who have been linked to an al-Qaeda terrorist network operating out of northern Iraq, are allegedly responsible for the June 1 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device in Haychel; the May 13, VBIED attack in Makmoor; the Feb. 13, 2005 attack that killed three Iraqi National Guard Soldiers; and the May 14, 2004 assassination of the Governor of Ninewa.
Attacking multiple target houses simultaneously, Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained their primary targets without incident. Five other suspicious individuals were also detained as they attempted to flee the area during the operation.
The purpose of the operation, the director said, was to severely disrupt the al-Qaeda network’s ability to conduct assassinations and IED attacks on innocent civilians in Mashat Village, Sharqat District as well as disrupt terrorist activity and influence in the Za’ab triangle north from Baghdad to Mosul or Irbil.
Attack helicopters kill IED emplacers
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Attack helicopters engaged and destroyed anti-Iraqi forces attempting to emplace an IED near Muqdadiyah, June 16.
The attack helicopters from 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, observed four insurgents carry a propane tank and begin digging on the side of the road. Two additional insurgents parked a vehicle between the road and the four AIF digging in order to obscure the IED emplacement.
Attack helicopters, armed with hellfire missiles, engaged and killed all six insurgents and destroyed the vehicle.
Coalition ground forces secured the area and recovered the IED.
Two insurgents killed after rocket attack near Samarra
TIKRIT, Iraq – Coalition Forces attack helicopters from Troop B, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, destroyed a vehicle and killed two insurgents, June 14, northeast of Samarra.
The insurgents were observed hastily firing three rockets at a nearby Coalition base and immediately fled the scene in their vehicle. Coalition helicopters and aircraft observed them for several miles and destroyed the vehicle and killed both AIF with direct fire.
The insurgent-fired rockets missed their target and there were no Coalition Forces casualties as a result of the attack.
Four terrorists killed, 20 detained in Coalition operations
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed four terrorists and detained 20 suspected terrorists during operations around the country to disrupt the al-Qaeda in Iraq network Saturday.
Coalition Forces launched an operation to capture associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership east of Fallujah. As they approached the two targeted buildings, three armed terrorists maneuvered into tactical positions against the ground force. Coalition Forces, reacting to the hostile threat, engaged the terrorists, killing all three.
Within the buildings, the ground force found several military-style ammunition vests and grenades. Five suspected terrorists were detained for their alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.
In another operation in Anbar province, Coalition Forces detained an individual suspected of making and transporting false documentation for al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and operatives. Coalition Forces also found identification-making equipment in the suspect’s house.
In Mosul, Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and wounded another armed man during an operation targeting terrorist leaders. As the ground force approached the objective, the two armed men engaged the ground force with small arms fire. Coalition Forces, reacting in self-defense, returned fire, killing one terrorist and wounding the other. The wounded man was taken to a military medical facility for treatment. One suspected terrorist was detained on scene for his alleged ties to a newly appointed al-Qaeda leader.
Two other operations in Mosul netted four detainees who allegedly finance al-Qaeda operations in the area. Intelligence reports indicate three suspects are heavily involved in a network that conducts kidnappings and hijackings to raise money for terrorist activities.
In Baghdad, Coalition Forces detained eight suspected terrorists for their connection to al-Qaeda senior leaders and the Baghdad vehicle-borne improvised explosive device network. On site, Coalition Forces also destroyed one vehicle known to transport personnel and explosives for terrorist activities.
One Secret Cell terrorist killed, 10 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition Forces killed one terrorist, wounded one suspected terrorist and detained 10 suspected terrorists, including one key facilitator and one cell leader, during operations targeting secret cell network operations in Baghdad.
The individuals detained during the raid are believed to be members of the secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.
During coordinated operations in Sadr City and eastern Baghdad, Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained eight suspected terrorists in eastern Baghdad and two suspected terrorists in Sadr City. During the pre-dawn raids in Sadr City, ground forces came under small arms fire. Using appropriate self defense measures, Coalition Forces returned fire, killing at least one terrorist and wounding one armed suspected terrorist.
Intelligence reports indicate that the cell leader detained during the morning’s operation in Sadr City is associated with a kidnapping cell and is believed to be directly involved in the November Ministry of Health kidnappings. Additionally, intelligence reports indicate that the targeted individual’s cell specializes in the emplacement of improvised explosive devises and EFPs.
Intelligence reports also indicate that the key facilitator detained in eastern Baghdad has direct contact with high level key leaders in the secret cell terrorist networks. He is also believed to be responsible for the facilitation of Iran lethal aid as well as directing attacks on Coalition Forces.
