Good News From The War On Terror 8/13
Iraqi, U.S. Special Forces detain key rogue JAM leader, capture Al Qaeda in Iraq medic
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a suspected platoon leader of the rogue Shi’a militia Jaysh al-Madhi during an intelligence driven operation Aug. 12 in central Baghdad. The forces also detained five of the suspected leader’s associates.
The forces detained the targeted individual and his associates without incident. The primary suspect is suspected of conducting attacks targeting Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces in the vicinity of Karada.
In a second operation Aug. 12, Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained an Al Qaeda in Iraq medical doctor in the vicinity of Ghazalijah in Baghdad. The doctor is suspected of harboring Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists following their operations. He is also accused of providing logistical support to the terrorist group.
Coalition Forces clamp down on al-Qaeda senior leaders
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces conducted synchronized operations in Tikrit and Mosul targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and detained 17 suspected terrorists Sunday and Monday.
Coalition Forces conducted a cluster of operations in Tikrit Sunday and Monday targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and their close associates. The ground forces captured an individual who allegedly aids senior terrorist leaders and provides lodging during their visits to the area. Coalition Forces detained 14 more suspected terrorists during seven coordinated operations. During one of the raids, a man and woman received minor injuries when Coalition Forces used explosives to breach a door. They were treated on site.
During a related operation in Mosul, Coalition Forces captured a close associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s senior leaders and detained one other suspected terrorist.
MNC-I conducts Operation Phantom Strike
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Corps-Iraq launched a major offensive, Operation Phantom Strike, on August 13 in a powerful crackdown to disrupt AQI and Shia extremist operations in Iraq. It consists of simultaneous operations throughout Iraq focused on pursuing remaining AQI terrorists and Iranian-supported extremist elements.
Recent Coalition offensive operations, such as Fardh Al-Qanoon and Phantom Thunder, have reduced the effectiveness of extremist groups. The operations denied AQI safe havens, disrupted extremist support zones and supply lines, captured or killed significant AQI and Shia extremist leaders, and liberated large segments of the Iraqi population from AQI. These combined operations included the coordinated and synchronized efforts of Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, appreciably improving the lives of the Iraqi people.
Operation Phantom Strike is a joint Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces operation to eliminate remaining elements of AQI and other extremist groups, preventing them from causing further terrorism and inciting sectarian violence. Additionally, it will intensify pressure on extremist networks across the entire theater.
Coalition Forces Capture Key Financier of Special Groups Terrorists
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured a key financier of Special Groups terrorists during a pre-dawn raid Monday in Western Baghdad. The detained individual is believed to be a Special Groups leader for the Bayaa province in Western Baghdad.
No shots were fired when Coalition Forces conducted a ground assault to capture or kill a suspected key financier of the “Special Groups” that are believed to have direct ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps – Quds Force (IRGC-QF). These Special Groups terrorists are suspected of killing Iraqi citizens, directing attacks against Coalition Forces, and promoting sectarian violence.
Coalition Forces confiscated a vehicle, two computers, photographs and various documents that may lead to future operations targeting Special Groups.
Coalition tips lead Coalition Forces to underground caches
PATROL BASE WARRIOR KEEP, Iraq — Large amounts of ammunition and bomb-making material were found in a series of caches, alongside a road southeast of Baghdad Aug. 7.
Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., were searching along the road when they found two caches buried in red water tanks one foot below the ground.
The weapons and gear inside the tanks were wrapped in burlap bags. The caches included 32 120mm mortar rounds, 12 60mm mortar rounds ,13 rocketpropelled grenades, a set of night-vision goggles, six motorcycle batteries, a high-powered wireless antenna, 200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition for AK-47 assault rifles, a roll of electrical wire and assorted RPG parts, 50 flares, a roll of detonation cord and a tripod for a mortar tube.
Shortly afterward, Soldiers detained two local men who lived in the house next to the cache. A source had identified the two as being responsible for burying the weapons.
At 3 p.m., in a separate incident, concerned local citizens brought a cache to a patrol base. The citizens said they found the cache along the nearby Mulla Fayad highway. It contained 11 82mm mortar rounds, a rocket-propelled grenade and four anti-tank rounds with Cyrillic writing on them.
The men were taken to a nearby patrol base for questioning. The explosives were destroyed in a controlled detonation by an explosive ordnance disposal team.
