Good News From The War On Terror 8/7
Five suspected insurgents detained in Thar Thar region
FALLUJAH – Iraqi Army Forces and U.S. Special Operations Forces detained five suspected insurgents believed to be part of a Thar Thar region al-Qaeda in Iraq cell during a helicopter assault raid Aug. 4.
With U.S. Special Operations Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Soldiers detained the five persons of interest without incident at a residence located in a rural area west of Balad. Seven assault rifles, one shotgun, assorted ammunition magazines, compact discs and propaganda materials were also seized during the operation.
The detainees are believed to be members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell allegedly responsible for hijacking semi trailers, planting improvised explosive devices on Coalition Forces supply routes, and aiding foreign fighters.
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain Shi’a extremist commander
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces acting as advisers, detained a rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi battalion commander Aug. 5 in Baghdad.
The suspected Shi’a extremist is believed to command five companies of terrorists who conduct improvised explosive device, suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and mortar attacks against Iraqi Forces in the area.
The suspect also allegedly participated in the murder of several local nationals.
The suspect is being detained for further questioning.
Strike targets al-Qaeda senior leaders; 8 terrorists killed, 14 suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained 14 suspected terrorists during coordinated operations targeting a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leader west of Tarmiyah Monday and Tuesday.
Coalition Forces conducted an operation Monday targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the northern belts around Baghdad, who is associated with deadly vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks in the city. Surveillance indicated the senior leader and his associates had entered a building in a remote area. Coalition Forces then declared the target hostile, and to engage the terrorists before they were able to disperse, called in an air strike on the building. Secondary explosions ignited after the initial strike, indicating there were explosives inside. Coalition Forces assess five terrorists were killed in the strike.
When ground forces attempted to approach the site to assess damage, one terrorist engaged them with small arms fire. Countering in self-defense, Coalition Forces returned fire and killed the armed man. The ground forces resumed their approach to the building but discovered multiple fighting positions, heavy machine guns, booby traps and vehicles wired with explosives. Coalition Forces evacuated the area and called in air assets to destroy the enemy weapons.
Acting on intelligence gained from the Monday operation, Coalition Forces conducted additional coordinated raids in the area Tuesday morning. During the first of those, Coalition Forces used explosives to breach a door and enter a targeted building. A woman standing behind the door was killed in the explosion. Iraqis on the scene told Coalition Forces her husband had told her to block the door from the Americans.
As ground forces secured the building, one man was discovered concealing himself in another room, armed with grenades and a rifle aimed at the assault force. Coalition Forces, responding appropriately to the hostile threat, engaged the armed man, killing him. As they secured additional buildings on the scene, a man rushed to a window and attempted to pull a rifle from behind the curtains. Coalition Forces reacted to the hostile threat by engaging the man and killing him.
During a raid on another building, ground forces brought the occupants of a building outside to secure the area. One man, after previously being compliant, turned and rushed back into the building. Coalition Forces, perceiving a hostile threat, engaged the man and wounded him. He was treated on site and taken to a military medical facility for further treatment. He and six other suspected terrorists were detained during the raid.
Coalition Forces detained three more suspected terrorists during raids on four more buildings in the area.
BAGHDAD – Elements of the 8th Iraqi Army Division, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a suspected insurgent recruiter and organizer for the rogue Jaysh al-Madhi militia operating in An Najaf during an intelligence driven operation in southern Iraq Aug. 4.
The alleged rogue JAM insurgent is suspected of using local charities as a front to screen and recruit individuals by offering them $500 to emplace IEDs.
He is also suspected of facilitating cross-border training, garnering financial support, and transporting equipment and weapons (to include Explosively-formed penetrators and improvised explosive devices) with Persian militant groups to be used against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. EFPs and IEDs are responsible for many Coalition Force deaths in the area.
He is suspected of supplying the IED that killed two Coalition Soldiers in Karbala and is linked to other deadly attacks in Diwaniyah, An Najaf and Karbala.
In a separate operation Aug. 5, Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces acting as advisors, detained a suspected al-Qaeda emir in Radwaniyah.
The alleged Sunni extremist commander is believed responsible for conducting attacks against Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces southwest of Baghdad. Another suspected extremist was also detained.
Both individuals are currently being held for questioning and further investigation.
15 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 15 suspected terrorists, including two alleged high-level operatives, during raids along the Tigris River Valley targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network Tuesday.
Coalition Forces targeted and captured an individual north of Tikrit believed to be involved in terrorist activities in Salah ad Din province. Intelligence reports indicate the suspect is tied to al-Qaeda, and he controls sensitive operational documents and media for the terrorist group. The ground forces detained two additional suspected terrorists during the raid.
In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured a high-level member of a terrorist group whose leader was detained during a Coalition operation Aug. 4. The group is linked with al-Qaeda in Iraq and is known for placing improvised explosive devices.
Coalition Forces raided six buildings in Bayji targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader there who allegedly oversees hundreds of terrorist fighters. On scene, the ground forces found a suitcase filled with Iraqi dinar and detained seven suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the targeted individual.
In Baghdad, Coalition Forces targeted a cell leader in the city’s vehicle-borne improvised explosive device network who is also believed to be involved in an April police station bombing. During the raid, the ground forces detained four suspected terrorists.
IA find night vision goggles, detain two during Operation Marne Avalanche
KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi Soldiers joined U.S. Soldiers from Task Force Steel in a joint operation dubbed Algeria III in support of Operation Marne Avalanche Aug. 4 in the Chaka III region of North Babil, to secure the area from insurgent activity.
Soldiers from 8th Iraqi Army Division and Company A, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, moved from house to house searching for any presence of insurgent activity or violations of the rule of law set forth by the Iraqi government.
This Iraqi-led operation yielded one pair of night vision goggles, three detainees and five AK-47 assault rifles with ammunition.
Rogue JAM company commander detained during Marne Avalanche
KALSU, Iraq – Paratroopers captured a suspected rogue Jaish Al Mahdi (JAM) militia company commander wanted for a string of attacks using explosively formed projectiles, murder and intimidation against citizens in North Babil during Operation Marne Avalanche, August 5.
Paratroopers from 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, conducted an early morning raid in Musiyyib to capture the suspected cell leader. They also detained five suspected members of his ring.
During Operation Marne Avalanche, the Paratroopers of the 4th BCT (Abn.) have killed 16 insurgents, conducted numerous precision raids, and captured more than 110 suspected insurgents, including eight cell leaders and other high value individuals.
Suspected Al-Qaeda terrorist captured during Marne Avalanche
KALSU, Iraq — Iraqi Security Forces and Paratroopers captured a suspected al-Qaeda terrorist wanted for a string of attacks against the security forces and citizens in North Babil during Operation Marne Avalanche, August 5.
The Iraqi Army, police and Paratroopers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 501st Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted an early morning raid in Snadeej near Jurf As Sukhr to capture the suspected insurgent.
Thanks to joint operations like this one, the Jurf As Sukhr area is on the road to security and stability, Moltz said
The JSS isn’t the only key to success in the area. According to the soldiers and Paratroopers who work in the region, citizens are a big factor in their success.
During Operation Marne Avalanche, the Paratroopers of the 4th Brigade have killed 16 insurgents, conducted numerous precision raids, captured more than 110 insurgents including eight cell leaders and other high value individuals.
