Good News From The War On Terror 8/31
Marines kill 12 AQI near Karmah
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – Marines from Regimental Combat Team 6 observed and engaged an armed group of al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists killing 12 and destroying two vehicles near the town of Karmah Aug. 29.
A group of three men was seen loading objects into a bongo truck from a nearby growth of weeds 11 kilometers northeast of Fallujah, in an area known to be a historical weapons cache site. A second group of four men arrived in another bongo truck, followed by a third group of six men on foot through the reeds.
A team of Marines was dispatched to better observe the scene and a third cargo truck carrying three men waving weapons and wearing ski masks approached the group a few moments later.
The Marines called for air support and a section of AV-8B Harrier jets dropped two precision-guided bombs, destroying the initial two cargo trucks. Marines called for artillery fire on the dismounted enemy personnel immediately following the air attack.
Twelve members of al Qaeda were found dead upon investigation of the scene.
Numerous weapons and roadside bomb making materials were also found.
All unexploded ordnance was removed from the scene and transported to a Coalition base for investigation and disposal.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain suspected al-Qaeda Emir, one terrorist
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained a suspected al-Qaeda Emir and a terrorist cell member during an intelligence driven operation Aug. 30 in Baghdad.
Reports indicate the Emir has directed and conducted kidnappings and murders of local nationals. The Sunni extremist is believed to have participated in indirect fire attacks against local citizens.
The suspects are currently being detained for questioning for their involvement in the injury and death of Iraqi citizens and other criminal activity.
5 terrorists killed, 13 suspects detained in Tigris River Valley
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed five terrorists and detained 13 suspected terrorists during raids Friday targeting leaders of the al-Qaeda operational network in the Tigris River Valley.
Coalition Forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader southwest of Balad who orders, finances and carries out attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in Salah ad Din province. Intelligence reports indicate he recently assumed a position coordinating terrorist logistics between Baghdad and Mosul, and may be trying to obtain chemical weapons for use in attacks against Coalition Forces.
After ground forces secured the target building, they received small arms fire from a nearby building. Coalition Forces responded in self-defense and returned fire, killing five armed terrorists. Four additional suspected terrorists were detained.
Coalition Forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq’s network operations during raids in Bayji and Baghdad. In the northern city, Coalition Forces captured the alleged administrative emir of Haditha, who was believed to be residing in Bayji because of Iraqi and Coalition Forces’ pressure on al-Qaeda in Iraq members in Haditha. Two other suspected terrorists were detained in the raid.
In southern Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured a suspected key leader in the city’s car-bombing network. Intelligence reports indicate the individual had moved into the leadership position after his predecessor was detained in an operation June 10 and the previous leader was detained May 29. Several other leaders in the network have been killed or captured in the past two months, including Ali Latif Ibrahim Hamad al Falahi, who coordinated car bombing operations in Baghdad and was killed Aug. 20. Coalition Forces also detained five other suspected terrorists during the raid.
During operations to locate al-Qaeda in Iraq safe houses north of Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces found a building containing homemade explosives and rigged with command detonation wires. An explosives team with the ground forces safely destroyed the materials on site.
KARBALA, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces and Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained 11 militant extremists during two separate intelligence driven operations Aug. 29 and Aug. 30 in Karbala.
Intelligence indicates that one of the detained Shi’a extremists is linked to the Aug. 22 assassination of the mayor of Husaniyah.
The forces received enemy small arms fire, during both operations. The forces returned proportional fire, killing one enemy fighter and wounding another. The wounded individual was evacuated to a medical facility for treatment.
Troops capture 24 suspected insurgents
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers captured 24 suspected insurgents during a clearing operationAug. 31 in New Baghdad District of eastern Baghdad to disrupt militia activity.
The operation, carried out by Soldiers of the Company D, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, was part of ongoing efforts to clear insurgent strongholds in the area.
ANSF and Coalition forces defeat insurgents again in Helmand province
BAGRAM, Afghanistan – Elements of the Afghan National Army, advised by Coalition forces, continued an operation to clear the Taliban from both sides of the Musa Qalah wadi during a combat patrol in Helmand province early this morning.
The Afghan National Security Force-led patrol was seven kilometers south of Regay village, in nearly the same location as an engagement on Aug. 25, when an unknown number of insurgents began attacking with rocket propelled grenades and small-arms fire. The combined force repelled the attack using effective small-arms, machine gun and MK-19 fire.
The pro-government forces called in air strikes to destroy additional enemy fighters as the fighting continued. No bombs were dropped during the engagement.
A number of enemy fighters were killed in the engagement. No ANSF or Coalition members were injured or killed during the fighting. There were no Afghan non-combatant injuries reported.
“The continuation of this operation is having the desired effect of disrupting the insurgents in the heart of their support area,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesman. “The combat successes of the combined ANSF and Coalition units are becoming routine in the Helmand province. With the support and resolve of the Afghan people living in the Helmand region, enemy fighters will be unable to derail the progressive reform efforts of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.”
ANA and Coalition forces are conducting operations as part of ISAF Operation Palk Mesher, in southern Afghanistan to disrupt and eliminate insurgents in the Helmand province. Musa Qalah, in particular, is widely recognized as the largest Taliban stronghold left in Afghanistan.
Scores of insurgents killed in urban combat
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Auxillary Police, advised by Coalition forces, defeated an insurgent attack Aug. 31 within Regay, Musa Qalah District, Helmand Province.
The combined force was on a combat patrol when insurgents attacked with mortars, RPG’s and small-arms fire from multiple compounds located inside of populated areas in northwestern Regay.
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan forces tactically maneuvered against the Taliban fighters after calling for close air support. In the fight that ensued, almost two dozen insurgents were killed.
Aug. 29 airpower summary: KC-135 off-loads fuel for GWOT
Aug. 30 airpower summary: C-130's move people, supplies
