Good News From The War On Terror 7/26
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi leader
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a cell leader of a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia July 25 in southwestern Baghdad.
The Iraqi Forces detained their primary suspect without incident and captured four other suspicious individuals who were present during the operation.
The primary suspect is believed to command a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi cell that is allegedly responsible for the death squad killings of more than 150 Sunni Arab Iraqis.
Iraqi, U.S. Special Operations Forces detain al-Qaeda leader
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained an al-Qaeda-in-Iraq cell leader July 25 in southern Baghdad.
ISOF entered and secured the building where the targeted individual was located without incident. As the occupants were being questioned, one identified himself as the primary suspect. One other suspicious individual who was present during the operation was also detained.
The primary suspect is believed to command an al-Qaeda-in-Iraq cell which operates out of the Jamia area. The primary suspect’s cell is allegedly responsible for conducting attacks against Iraqi citizens using vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices intended to stimulate sectarian violence.
36 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 36 suspected terrorists during operations Thursday targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in central and northern Iraq.
During two synchronized raids near Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader allegedly responsible for coordinating vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks. The ground forces also destroyed a vehicle used to transport terrorist weapons and personnel, and detained 18 other individuals allegedly linked to the VBIED cell.
Coalition Forces detained 11 suspected terrorists west of Taji during a raid targeting a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq figure there. The targeted individual is suspected of coordinating VBIED and suicide bombing operations, as well as attacks on Coalition Forces.
In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists. One individual is allegedly the primary weapons facilitator for al-Qaeda in Iraq in the Mosul area and has experienced a steady rise in power because of the degradation of the terrorist leadership network in the city. The other targeted individual was captured with four other suspected terrorists, and was found with fake documents and materials for counterfeiting identification.
Scout weapon teams kill 14 insurgents in Diyala
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Scout weapons helicopters from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, killed 14 insurgents in two engagements supporting coalition ground forces in the Diyala province, July 24.
Scout weapons aircraft responded to a call from ground force receiving small-arms fire from insurgents. The teams arrived on the scene and engaged the insurgents killing five.
Surveillance aircraft responded to a radio call from ground forces observing a group of insurgents moving tactically along a canal in central Diyala. The air teams moved into position and fired on the insurgents killing nine.
KIRKUK, Iraq – Two men linked to the emplacement of an improvised explosive device in the western Kirkuk province were captured July 23 by Coalition ground forces with support from a team of helicopters patrolling overhead.
Soldiers from Company D, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division observed one of the men emplacing what was later confirmed as an improvised explosive device and attempting to escape in a sedan driven by the other. A scout weapons team of Kiowa Warrior helicopters from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade prevented their escape as the ground forces moved in to detain the two men.
Coalition Soldiers also confiscated two AK-47 rifles and two magazine laden vests from inside the vehicle. Components of the IED were recovered for further analysis and the explosive ordnance was destroyed on site.
The 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment is part of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment is also based out Schofield Barracks and habitually works with 3IBCT.
Iraqi Army conducts independent operation, tips lead to weapons cache
KIRKUK, Iraq – An independent operation conducted by the Iraqi Army brigade responsible for Kirkuk province resulted in the discovery of a makeshift bunker housing a significant weapons cache near the village of Riyadh, 52 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital, July 22.
Near the village of Riyadh, Iraqi Army scouts discovered a small bunker underneath a home and seized at least two rockets, 35 mortar rounds, 3 weapons, miscellaneous explosive ordnance and key components used to make improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. Also recovered from the site were anti-Iraqi forces training materials, documents and records of insurgent activity.
Operation Iraqi Home Protector is significant as it marks the first mission planned and conducted entirely by the 2/4 IA brigade. The operation spanned more than 48 hours and involved four battalions working under their parent brigade, and two additional battalions from a sister brigade based in Sulaimaniya. A quick reaction force from the 4th Iraqi Army Division augmented the brigade’s operations during the first day’s mission through villages south of Kirkuk along the roads from Tuz to Tikrit and Tuz to Bayji, just inside the northern Salah Ad Din province.
Operations conducted the second day by the Iraqi Army brigade focused on villages along the Kirkuk to Bayji road west through the province near the village of Riyahd.
The find is expected to impact insurgent operations in the area and their ability to conduct attacks on Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces.
Throughout Operation Home Protector, Iraqi commanders conducted meetings with village leadership to discuss security concerns in their neighborhoods. Iraqi Soldiers also took the opportunity to interact with children in the villages to deliver school supplies and build an increasing trust and respect for the security forces.
