Good News From The War On Terror 7/12
Safe haven disrupted, Iraqi Forces detain ten
TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Forces lead an intelligence driven raid in Muqdadiyah July 10 that led to the detainment of ten targeted suspected terrorists allegedly linked and responsible for providing a safe haven to al-Qaeda in Iraq.
The capture and detainment of these suspected terrorists will continue to disrupt efforts to control the area while providing an opportunity for tribal leadership to operate and secure their region.
Advised by Coalition Forces, Iraqi Forces seized four weapons, material for making improvised explosive devices, a grenade, and various documents. Iraqi Forces also identified and destroyed several anti-tank mines and mortar rounds during a controlled detonation.
ISF, Coalition Forces conduct operations to bring security to Ad Diwaniyah
BAGHDAD - Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces conducted combat operations July 10 and 11 in the city of Ad Diwaniyah with the aim of improving the security situation in the local area and detaining extremists.
During the operations four suspected insurgents were detained, eight were killed and 30 were wounded.
2 captured during Operation Geronimo Strike III
KALSU, Iraq — Paratroopers from Strike Force Geronimo detained two suspected Al Qaeda insurgents during an air assault and raid July 10 northwest of Iskandariyah.
Paratroopers from Company A, 3rd Battalion, 509th Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted Operation Geronimo Strike III in order to capture members of an Al Qaeda cell wanted in connection with the kidnapping of three American Soldiers and other attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.In addition to capturing the cell members, the operation netted two AK-47 assault rifles, eight fully loaded magazines, two hand grenades and a ski mask.
The insurgents are being held for further questioning.
The weapons and ammunition was confiscated for use in the investigation.
Two Suspected Secret Cell Terrorists Detained by Coalition Forces
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained two suspected Secret Cell terrorists before dawn on Thursday in Baghdad. It is believed that the terrorists are members of the Special Groups affiliated with Jaysh al-Mahdi, the terror group active in Baghdad and believed to be responsible for numerous attacks on Iraqi civilians as well as Coalition Forces in Baghdad.
Coalition Forces conducted the raid to capture or kill terrorists who allegedly specialize in kidnapping, killing and building and placing improvised explosive devices. Intelligence reports indicate that the suspected terrorists targeted during the raid are associated with key leaders in the secret cell terrorist network and have ties to Iranian terrorists groups. Coalition Forces also confiscated AK-47s and pistols from the suspected terrorists.
During the operation, terrorists fired upon Coalition Forces with a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) and hit a house causing undetermined damage. Coalition Forces engaged the RPG team, who fled the area. There were no known casualties from the RPG attack.
19 suspected al-Qaeda detained in Coalition raids
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 19 suspected terrorists during raids targeting al-Qaeda operations cells in central and northern Iraq Wednesday and Thursday.
Thursday in Mosul, Coalition Forces captured an individual believed to be the most active terrorist cell leader in Mosul. The suspected terrorist is allegedly involved in attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces, and facilitating the movement of foreign terrorists for participation in terrorist activities. During the raid, the ground forces also detained five suspected associates of the targeted individual.
Another raid in Mosul Thursday netted one suspected terrorist allegedly tied to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the area.
Coalition Forces east of Balad captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq financier for the northern part of the country who has ties to senior leaders within the al-Qaeda organization. During the Thursday raid, Coalition Forces detained a total of 11 suspected terrorists.
Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid in Baghdad Wednesday and captured an al-Qaeda in Iraq operative who allegedly is an electrical engineer and bomb-making expert. Intelligence reports indicate he is connected to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and had been considered for a terrorist leadership position abroad.
Paratroopers capture cell leader
KALSU, Iraq — Task Force Geronimo Paratroopers captured a cell leader responsible for conducting rocket and improvised explosive device attacks in Iskandariyah, July 9, near Mussayyib.
Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, conducted a raid on the man’s house and arrested him without incident. The man was responsible for conducting attacks against the residents and security forces of Iskandariyah.
Insurgent leader captured during Operation Grenada
KALSU, Iraq — The ringleader of a cell responsible for conducting rocket and improvised explosive device attacks on the people and security forces of North Babil was captured by Task Force Steel near Tunis, July 7.
Paratroopers of 3rd Battalion, 509th Airborne, and Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted an assault named Operation Grenada while simultaneously surrounding the target’s house with tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles.
Task Force Steel also captured two other cell members along with a rangefinder used to aim and target rocket attacks, IED materials, two AK-47 assault rifles with 600 rounds of ammunition, and militia propaganda.
In addition to the cell leader, cell members, weapons and materials, the Task Force also captured a truck that tested positive for exposure to explosive materials.
The suspects were detained for further questioning.
The weapons, propaganda and other materials were confiscated for use in the investigation.
IA, 2-7 Cavalry find IED factory, detain 18 during raid
MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers and their Coalition counterparts found an improvised explosive device factory during a raid in Mosul’s Al Sina’a neighborhood July 11.
Working from local tips, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, in coordination with Coalition forces from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment moved into the neighborhood and came under small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from insurgent gunmen. The CF and IA returned fire, killing three of the insurgents while the remaining attackers fled to a nearby building.
The Iraqi soldiers entered the building and discovered several unique elements used to create improvised explosive devices. These included an acetylene tank, fertilizer, sugar, and an industrial-grade sifter.
One of the detainees tested positive for TNT and a total of 18 suspects were detained.
The factory and bomb-making components were reduced on site.
Firefight in New Baghdad; US, Iraqi forces kill 9 insurgents, detain 13
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, with their Iraqi Security Force counterparts, killed nine insurgents and detained 13 more after coming under fire July 12 in the New Baghdad District of eastern Baghdad.
Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, both operating in eastern Baghdad under the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, along with their Iraqi counterparts from the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Division National Police, were conducting a coordinated raid as part of a planned operation when they were attacked by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Coalition Forces returned fire and called in attack aviation reinforcement.
Nine insurgents were killed in the ensuing firefight. One insurgent was wounded and two civilians were killed during the firefight.
The two civilians were reported as employees for the Reuters news service.
Ubaidi, Anbakia tribes sign peace agreement in Diyala
TIKRIT, Iraq – Key tribal leaders from the Ubaidi and Anbakia tribes signed a peace agreement, July 10, during a meeting at the Baqouba Government Center to end tribal conflicts that have been occurring for decades and stand together against al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations.
Sheik Hamed Hazber Hasan Abdal al-Anbak, paramount sheik for the Anbakia tribe, and a key tribal leader from the Ubaidi tribe, have been meeting for the past several months to discuss and work through grievances between their respective tribes.
By signing the peace agreement, the tribes agreed to “swear by God and his holy book Koran that we will unite in fighting terrorism in our areas.”
Key promises of the agreement include ending tribal infighting and kidnappings; providing names of tribal members operating against the people; fighting al-Qaida within Diyala; cooperating and working with the Iraqi Security Forces to assist in discovering improvised explosive devices and locating corrupt individuals within the government and security forces; honoring the law; solving agricultural disputes within tribes and assist in returning displaced families to their homes.
After signing the agreement, both tribal leaders placed their hand on the Koran to signify their commitment to the stipulations of the agreement.
MND-B troops detain 31 at suspected Al Qaeda meeting in Rashid District
BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division - Baghdad troops detained 31 suspected insurgents at a possible Al Qaeda meeting in the Rashid District, July 11.
Soldiers from Company A, 1sy Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, detained the suspects during an evening raid aimed at disrupting a suspected terrorist meeting in the district.
