Good News From The War On Terror 9/24
Three terrorists killed, 21 suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 21 suspected terrorists Monday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and its foreign terrorist network in central and northern parts of the country.
Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership and foreign terrorist facilitators in operations east of Tikrit. When Coalition forces arrived at the target area, they discovered three armed terrorists in a courtyard. The ground forces called for the individuals to put down their weapons, but they did not comply and one armed man drew his weapon. Responding in self-defense, the ground forces engaged the terrorists, killing three. The terrorists and suspects are believed to be tied the car-bombing network in Baghdad and foreign terrorists facilitators in the Tigris River Valley.
During this operation Coalition forces discovered several caches of weapons, ammunition and military style uniforms in the target area. The weapons were safely destroyed by an expert explosives team on site.
Northeast of Mosul, Coalition forces conducted a precision operation targeting associates of the emir of al-Qaeda in northwestern Iraq and captured five suspected terrorists. One of the suspects is allegedly responsible for arranging vehicles, distributing wages and supplying false documentation for al-Qaeda in Iraq members. He and one other suspect are believed to be brothers of the emir.
Two Coalition forces operations in Baghdad and the northern belt targeted key operatives of al-Qaeda in Iraq. One suspected terrorist was detained in Baghdad and another west of Tarmiyah.
High-level al Qaeda in Iraq Terrorist Detained Near Taji on Sept. 16 Identified
BAGHDAD, Iraq – A senior al Qaeda in Iraq member of the Abu Ghazwan network, who was detained by Iraqi Army Scouts during a series of helicopter assault raids near Taji, Sept. 16, has been identified as Salim Ismail al Hayali, also known as Abu Bakr.
Abu Bakr is suspected of conducting attacks that target local citizens in the Tarmiyah area who join the Iraqi Police or Iraqi Army forces. His cell has attacked the Tarmiyah Regiment of the 9th Iraqi Army division, the 9th Oil Protection Division, guards at the Al Karkh water treatment plant and Coalition Forces in the Taji area. Abu Bakr’s cell is also suspected of distributing propaganda and installing illegal check points.
Abu Bakr is additionally suspected of being the second in command to Abu Ghazwan’s network and the gatekeeper for access to Abu Ghazwan himself. This criminal network is known to commit robberies, kidnappings, murder, and is responsible for the Sept. 6, 2006 attack against a British Contractor convoy near Tarmiyah.
This terrorist network is believed to be linked to the kidnappings of employees from the Nasr Industrial Plant and is known to stage attacks from a local mosque. The cell provides salaries and materials for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices to be used in the Baghdad area. The cell is further suspected of storing and supplying weapons such as surface-to-air missiles, mortar rounds, mortar launchers, and heavy machine guns to be used in future terrorist attacks.
Iraqi Army Soldiers discover large weapons cache in western Nineveh
AL NUR, Iraq – Iraq Army soldiers discovered a large cache of weapons and military equipment in the village of Al Nur, located northwest of Tal’Afar, in western Nineveh province, Sept. 21.
Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division discovered the large cache using information from four enemy fighters who were captured the previous night by Coalition Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment.
“This discovery by the IA is a direct result of good tactical questioning of enemy fighters and good exploitation of the intelligence they received from them,” said Maj. Mufu Taiwo, executive officer of the 1-9 Cavalry. “They found out where the weapons were stored and moved in to confiscate them, denying their use by enemy fighters.”
Upon entering the village, the cache was discovered split into three parts.
Approximately 40 assorted mortar rounds were found buried in a deep freeze freezer, while a mortar tube, six rocket-propelled grenades, three rocket-propelled grenade launchers, one PKC machine gun, four AK-47 assault rifles and almost 40 magazines of ammunition were located in two large barrels, all of which were buried in the ground.
Additionally, the IA soldiers found military tactical vests and a fully-automatic M-16A1 rifle.
All of the weapons and munitions were removed from the site and consolidated by the 3rd IA Division soldiers who discovered them.
Afghan, Coalition forces detain suspected militants in Gelan District
BAGRAM AIRFIED, Afghanistan – Eleven suspected militants were detained by Afghan and Coalition forces today in Gelan District, Ghazni Province, further disrupting militant activities in the area.
Acting on credible intelligence sources, the combined force made their way to compounds in Gelan District, where militants were indicated to be residing.
Conducting a search of the compounds, the combined force found and subsequently detained the suspected militants.
Upon a more extensive search of the immediate area, the combined force found small arms, ammunition vests and a machine gun.
The detained militants will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.
Sept. 23 airpower summary: B-1Bs bring on the firepower
