Good News From The War On Terror 8/19
Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces conduct air assault raid
TAJI, Iraq – Soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, conducted an air assault operation in the village of Golden Hills near Balad Aug 18.
During the operation, Iraqi forces acted on intelligence reports and entered the Hay al-Qayum Mosque which is reportedly being used as a terrorist meeting place. Intelligence has also shown that terrorists are using the mosque as a safe haven for improvised explosive device construction and that the area around the mosque is being used for training and cache emplacement.
The targeted terrorist cell was suspected of indirect fire attacks on Coalition Forces and attacks on the Said Mohammed Shrine. Additionally, it is reported that the terrorist cell is responsible for the kidnappings of local Iraqis as a means to finance its operations.
The purpose of the raid was to disrupt insurgent operations and deny sanctuary to insurgent forces. The primary targeted individual of the raid was not present; however, Iraqi Army soldiers confiscated nine bolt-action rifles, an AK-47 assault rifle and one general purpose machine gun from inside the mosque.
Coalition Forces target al-Qaeda in Iraq; 3 terrorists killed, 21 suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained 21 suspected terrorists during operations Sunday to further damage the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in central and northern parts of the country.
Based on information from an operation Aug. 11, Coalition Forces targeted the leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell near Muqdadiyah believed to conduct attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. The ground forces called for the occupants of several buildings to come out, but the occupants did not comply. After seeing weapons in the window and identifying two men as a hostile threat, Coalition Forces snipers responded in defense of the ground forces and engaged the armed men, killing them. No other people inside the building were injured, and one suspected terrorist was detained.
In Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces conducted an operation to disrupt a foreign terrorist facilitation network that safeguards senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq. While the assault force secured the building, one man refused to comply with the interpreter’s instructions and made threatening movements toward the assault force. Responding in self-defense against the hostile threat, Coalition Forces engaged the man, killing him. Iraqis on the scene told the ground forces the man was a member of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Coalition Forces detained seven suspected terrorists believed to be involved with the group’s leaders.
In another operation near Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces raided a series of buildings looking for an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who illegally smuggles gas to finance and fuel terrorist operations. Two suspected terrorists were detained.
In Salah ad Din province, Coalition Forces conducted two operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders, including one who orders, finances and carries out attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces. The ground forces detained 11 suspected terrorists during the operations for their alleged ties to the targeted leaders.
Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces dismantle sniper cell, detain three, kill one in Baghdad
BAGHDAD – Iraqi forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained three suspected terrorists during a series of operations in the Baghdad area Aug. 16.
During the first operation, two suspected terrorists were detained. One of the suspects is alleged to be a Jaysh al-Mahdi sniper and cell leader responsible for targeting Iraqi and U.S. forces in the Rashid area of Baghdad. He is additionally suspected for distribution of various weapon systems to include rocket propelled grenades, light machine guns, mortars, short barrel 50 caliber machine guns, and AK-47s as well as sniper rifles with night vision optics in his area.
While traveling to the targeted location, ISOF and USSF identified and engaged a hostile individual pointing an automatic weapon at the lead vehicle in the convoy. Using well-aimed, proportionate fire, the individual was killed.
One other suspected terrorist was detained during a second operation in the Baghdad area. The individual is believed to be involved in funding of foreign fighters for the Islamic State of Iraq.
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain 31 at al-Qaeda in Iraq meeting
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and 8th Iraqi Army Scouts, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained 31 suspected terrorists in Sayafiyah during an alleged meeting of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell Aug. 17.
Local citizens prompted the operation by reporting that Sayafiyah was a safe haven for many Sunni insurgents. The individuals targeted during this raid have been connected to multiple improvised explosive device attacks, weapons smuggling, kidnapping, extra judicial killings and are believed to be responsible for the displacement of hundreds of Shiites.
Additionally, the suspected terrorists in this cell are alleged to be behind attacks on Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces; financing their own activities.
