Good News From The War On Terror 7/24
Troops capture seven suspected insurgents
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi troops captured seven suspected insurgents during a combined raid July 21 in the Zafaraniya section of eastern Baghdad.
The Soldiers, with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, launched the raid in hopes of shutting down a cell believed responsible for making improvised explosive devices and indirect fire attacks. The seven suspects are being held for further questioning.
The captures came as insurgents have stepped up their activity against Iraqi civilians and police officers. Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have responded by driving into insurgent strongholds and setting up combat outposts and joint security stations as part of Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon, better known as the Baghdad Security Plan.
Coalition and Iraqi Forces continue to reach out to Baghdad residents, encouraging them to turn in insurgents. These tips, together with other intelligence-driven efforts, have led to an increase in captures.
20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 20 suspected terrorists during raids Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operations north of Baghdad.
Three synchronized raids west of Taji targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives associated with senior terrorist leaders and criminal activity. Coalition Forces captured one individual suspected of attacking Coalition Forces and detained 15 others for their alleged links to hijackings and weapons facilitation.
Coalition Forces captured a foreign terrorist suspected of involvement in the May 2007 Samarra suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack. Also during the raid northwest of Balad, Coalition Forces detained three other suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the foreign terrorist.
Khalis tribal leaders sign peace agreement
KHALIS, Iraq – Approximately 75 tribal sheiks and local leaders gathered at the Iraqi Army Headquarters in Khalis, Iraq, to discuss grievances between tribes, determine solutions for security and services, and unite to defeat al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations in the Khalis area.
“Our goal is to be united and cooperate between us to stand between any force that wishes to challenge our unity,” said one tribal sheik. “We have to show the people that we are honest and serious about fighting against al-Qaeda.”
The meeting, led by Staff Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem, commander of Iraqi Security Forces in Diyala; Staff Maj. Gen. Ghanem Abass Ibraham al-Qureshy, the Provincial Director of Police; and Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of Coalition Forces in Diyala, resulted in the signing of a peace agreement between 18 of the tribal leaders in attendance.
“The sheiks are the backbone of Diyala,” said Sutherland. “We are not 25 major tribes with 100 sub-tribes; we are one tribe – the tribe of Diyala.”
As stated in the Quran, “And hold fast, all together, by the rope which God (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves,” the sheiks agreed to eight conditions.
“Here, right now, I am denouncing the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Qaeda,” said another sheik who later swore on the Quran to uphold the conditions of the peace agreement.
Some conditions of the agreement include cooperating with the ISF; stopping tribal conflicts such as kidnappings and murders; reporting and removing improvised explosive devices; assisting in recruiting for ISF; dissolving illegal militias; and solving disputes between tribes through local meetings with the government and other tribal sheiks.
After the meeting, the sheiks enjoyed a feast and agreed to meet in the near future to continue their efforts at uniting and solving the issues of their people.
Three insurgents killed emplacing roadside bomb
BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops opened fire on insurgents emplacing a roadside bomb, killing three and wounding at least one more July 21 during continuing clearing operations in the Rashid District.
Troops from Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, witnessed five men out after curfew excavating a hole by the side of the road in a Doura neighborhood of southern Baghdad. The location was an area historically used by insurgents to employ deep-buried improvised explosive devices against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces.
When one of the men was positively identified with an AK-47 assault rifle and appeared to be pulling security for the other diggers, the troops requested permission to engage.
After investigating the area where the insurgents were digging, the troopers found three bodies, the assault rifle, a pistol, two shovels and an axe. They also identified blood trails leading south.
Under Iraqi law, citizens are permitted to keep one AK-47 and a full 30-round magazine in their homes for protection. Handguns or weapons heavier than an assault rifle are not allowed.
Al-Qaeda cell leader killed, seven insurgents detained near Karmah
FALLUJAH, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces killed a senior member of an al Qaeda in Iraq cell and seven suspected insurgents were detained following a series of early-morning raids at a terrorist training camp July 23.
With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Security Forces cleared a series of buildings located on an abandoned Iraqi Army base in the Hamrah Region northeast of Karmah. Iraqi Security Forces were engaged by an enemy shooter at one of their objectives. An assault team moved to positively identify the shooter, a senior al Qaeda cell member, and lethal force was used to eliminate the threat. Various rifles, pictures and identification cards were also seized during the operation.
The abandoned base is purportedly being used as a training facility and safe house for active insurgents, foreign fighters, and weapons. Several insurgent groups from Fallujah and other Western Iraq cities are suspected to use the facility for small arms training and other activities.
The death of the senior member and detainment of the other insurgents will greatly inhibit al Qaeda in Iraq activities.
