Good News From The War On Terror 8/16
Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces detain seven suspected terrorists in western Ninewa Province
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, with U.S. Special Forces advising, conducted a cordon and search operation in the village of Abu Bareyj, near Bulayj, and detained seven suspected terrorists Aug. 14.
One of the alleged terrorists was detained during the initial search on the east side of the village. The individual is a suspected cell leader and is believed to be operating a safe-house used by anti-Iraqi forces to conduct attacks in the Bulayj area. One other suspicious individual was also detained.
Another five individuals were detained during a search of the west side of the village who are believed to be part of a terrorist cell that is responsible for attacking an Iraqi Army checkpoint in Bulayj two weeks prior.
Coalition Forces Kill Three, Detain Six, Capturing a High-Priority Special Groups Weapons Smuggler
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured a highly sought Special Groups weapons facilitator before dawn Thursday northeast of Baghdad.
Coalition Forces conducted a raid to capture a known weapons smuggler and distributor connected to various Special Groups. The captured high priority individual was responsible for smuggling explosively formed penetrators (EFP), Katusha rockets and other weapons from Iran into Iraq. The target was also responsible for the distribution of those weapons to Special Groups and extremist militants operating throughout Baghdad. The weapons smuggler had direct ties to senior militant leaders and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force.
On the approach to the objective, Coalition Forces were fired upon by three armed gunmen. Coalition Forces returned fire, killing the three gunmen.
Five others detained during the raid are suspected of distributing weapons smuggled into Iraq from Iran. Four of the detainees tested positive for explosives residue. One of the buildings searched during the raid produced money and questionable documents that were confiscated for analysis and evaluation.
Six terrorists killed, 5 suspects detained in coordinated operations
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed six terrorists and detained 26 suspected terrorists linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq during coordinated operations east of Balad the week of Aug. 9-14.
Coalition Forces conducted the two operations to disrupt terrorist operations in the area. During a 24-hour operation Aug. 10, they found a small cache of machine gun rounds and components used to make improvised explosive devices. The ground forces detained 21 suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq.
Several women on the scene wept while the men were detained. They told ground forces they were crying because they were happy that their sheikh, who had been run out by terrorists, could return to the community.
Coalition Forces followed up the 24-hour operation with a precision raid Aug. 14. As they began the operation, surveillance teams observed several men maneuvering into a previously secured area near the assault force. Coalition Forces, responding to the organized enemy force, requested close air support to engage the men. After the air strike, ground forces assessed six terrorists were killed in the engagement, and detained five suspected terrorists on the scene.
TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, targeted Al Qaeda in Iraq and and other terrorist operations in two intelligence-driven operations Aug. 15 across northern Iraq. The forces detained eight suspected terrorists, including the leader of a sniper cell in western Mosul.
In the first operation in the Al Mansour district of western Mosul, Iraqi Security Forces detained an alleged sniper amir who operates in western Mosul. Intelligence indicates the targeted individual actively recruits snipers to his cell from other groups and smuggles these snipers back and forth over the western Iraqi border in order for them to receive advanced sniper training in Syria. The forces also seized weapons, ammunition and assorted documents at the suspect’s residence.
In a second operation, the 3rd Brigade 5th Iraqi Army Division forces detained leader of an Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist smuggling cell in the Hamrin Ridge region. Five other suspicious individuals were also detained. The forces also found weapons and ammunition at the targeted location.
