Good News From The War On Terror 10/16-17
Ten suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured four wanted individuals and detained six suspected terrorists Tuesday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq.
Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and two suspects during an operation in southern Baghdad. Intelligence reports indicate the targeted individual was a key leader in the city’s car-bombing network and was attempting to re-establish its operations after significant degradation by Coalition forces. Coalition forces captured suspects Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 with ties to the Baghdad car-bombing network believed to be involved in the planning and execution of numerous attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces. In addition to the targeted individual, the ground force detained two suspects on site.
South of Abu Ghurayb, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual reportedly tied to improvised explosive device attacks in the area. The targeted individual is believed to be an associate of a suspect captured yesterday who is allegedly responsible for distributing significant amounts of money to al-Qaeda in Iraq. During the course of operations, the suspect identified himself to the ground force and another three suspected terrorists were detained.
In an operation southeast of Mahmudiyah, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be an associate of the southern belt terrorist leader Abu Usama al-Tunisi, killed during a previous Coalition force operation Sept. 25 (SEE MNF-I RELEASE A070928c, "Coalition Forces kill likely successor to Abu Ayyub al-Masri," dated Sept. 28, 2007). Reports indicate the southern belt network is responsible for coordinating the movement of foreign terrorists and suicide bombers for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. Credible intelligence led the ground force to the targeted individual’s location and he was detained on site without incident.
West of Baqubah, Coalition forces captured a wanted associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader in the al-Hadid region, a known terrorist stronghold. In addition to the targeted individual, the ground force detained one suspected terrorist.
Also, south of Samarra, supporting aircraft destroyed one building to prevent future use by terrorists. Intelligence reports indicate the area is a known safe haven for foreign terrorists and al-Qaeda in Iraq members. The building was empty when it was destroyed.
Paratroopers detain 12 insurgents
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Airborne Paratroopers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division detained 12 suspected insurgents during an air mobility raid east of Adwaniya Oct. 14.
Six of the individuals are related to one of their top 10 most wanted.
The Paratroopers, who are operationally attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, conducted the mission as part of Operation Marne Torch II, a month-long mission designed to eliminate al-Qaeda leaders in the Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab areas.
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured four wanted individuals and detained an additional 11 suspected terrorists early Wednesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a foreign terrorist facilitator and two other suspected terrorists in Tikrit. The wanted suspect is reported to be linked to a primary agent involved in trafficking foreign terrorists and is believed to be an associate of many current and former leaders of the network. Intelligence also links this individual to the movement of weapons, originating from outside of the country, throughout the Tigris River Valley. After the ground force secured the objective, the three were detained without incident
In Ar Ramadi, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual along with four other suspected terrorists with connections to Syrian-based extremists. Intelligence indicates that the wanted suspect was connected to a senior terrorist named Muthanna, who was killed during operations Sept. 11 near Sinjar, in northwest Iraq. Muthanna was the Emir of the Iraq and Syrian border area and a key facilitator of the movement of foreign terrorists once they crossed into Iraq from Syria. Upon securing the target building, ground forces discovered possible improvised explosive device making material and several Iraqi police uniforms.
In Baqubah, a wanted individual surrendered to Coalition forces without resistance as they quickly secured the target area. The suspect is reported to be a well known al-Qaeda weapons facilitator and terrorist cell leader. He has been linked to several previous Coalition objectives and has ties to several associates within the network. Two other suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.
Another wanted individual was captured during an operation in Mosul targeting associates of a senior terrorist network leader. Intelligence indicates that the targeted suspect is connected to the leader of the northern terrorist group and individuals with access to the senior leadership of al-Qaeda. In addition to the targeted suspect, three other suspected terrorists were detained in the operation without incident.
In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be the newly appointed leader of a local al-Qaeda cell operating in the southern part of the city. The city’s car-bombing network has been attempting to re-establish operations after significant degradation by Coalition forces in recent weeks including the Oct. 16 capture of the wanted individual and two additional suspects during an operation in southern Baghdad.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces, USSF detain extremist brigade commander
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained an extremist brigade commander in an early morning raid Oct. 16 in the al Hurriyah area.
The targeted commander is allegedly the main financier and weapons supplier in the al Shula area, near Baghdad. His 300-member cell is responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Coalition Forces and the Iraqi Army.
Additionally, approximately 12-million Iraqi Dinar, close to $10,000, was confiscated at the target house during the raid.
No Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured during the operation.
Coalition forces detain five suspected militants in Paktika Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces detained several suspected militants in Paktika Province today in an operation to disrupt extremist activities in the region.
Credible intelligence sources led Coalition forces to compounds in the Orgun District where suspected militants were indicated to be hiding.
Upon reaching the compounds, Coalition forces conducted a search of the buildings in the area.
After a thorough search of the compounds, Coalition forces also found several weapons, ammunition and explosive materials.
The explosives were destroyed to prevent them from being used by militant forces.
The individuals will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.
Oct. 15 airpower summary: F-15E Strike Eagles hit enemy positions
Oct. 16 airpower summary: C-17s provide heavy airlift support
