Good News From The War On Terror 10/19

Five hostages released, illegal prisons discovered in Baqouba

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Soldiers from Company D, 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, acting on a tip, discovered two houses used as make-shift prisons and released five local citizens who were held for ransom in the village of Buhriz in Baqouba, Iraq, Oct. 16. A leader from a local Concerned Local Citizens group provided tips leading Soldiers to conduct the search operation, which also netted two weapons caches, and led to the detaining of six Iraqi men, acting as guards for the prisons, in addition to the discovery and release of five hostages.  In house one, the Soldiers found four guards, armed with AK-47s, a weapons cache consisting of one rocket-propelled grenade launcher with three RPG rounds, and one hand grenade, as well as two hostages. The four guards surrendered to CF.  In the second house, the Soldiers captured two guards, who also surrendered, and were armed with AK-47s, a weapons cache consisting of four hand grenades, 15 AK-47 magazines, two pieces of body armor and three hostages.  The five released hostages were transferred to Forward Operating Base Warhorse, north of Baqouba, for medical treatment.

 

Five terrorists killed, two suspects detained during Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained two suspects Friday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks throughout Iraq. South of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the city. Intelligence reports indicate the network is known for car-bombing, improvised explosive device attacks and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. During the operation, surveillance elements observed a group of armed men move from the target building into nearby palm groves. As the ground force approached, the enemy opened fire from their defensive positions. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire and called for supporting aircraft to engage the armed men, killing four terrorists, one of whom was wearing a suicide vest. As the ground force secured the area, they also discovered a small weapons cache which was safely destroyed on-site.  During an operation south of Baqubah, Coalition forces targeted and killed an al-Qaeda in Iraq improvised explosive device cell leader. Reports indicate he led a group of approximately 250 terrorists that emplaced IEDs and conducted attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. The terrorist acted as a judge for an illegal terrorist court system in the area. As the ground force cleared the target building, they discovered a woman in a room and directed her to get down. The ground force was then engaged by an armed man and, responding in self-defense, they returned fire and killed the terrorist, who was the targeted individual. The woman was not harmed during the engagement and one suspect was detained. Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist north of Bayj during an operation to further disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq. Intelligence gained from a previous operation led the ground force to the target area. During that operation, Coalition forces captured an individual allegedly involved in the facilitation of foreign terrorists, false documentation and terrorist funds, and who is believed to have ties to Syrian-based extremists attempting to communicate with the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri.

 

Iraqi Security Forces, USSF detain EJK Leader, IED facilitators

BALAD – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two improvised explosive device makers and facilitators Oct. 18 in al Anbar and New Baghdad. Iraqi Special Forces detained a known IED maker and facilitator in the al Furat area who is allegedly an extremist company commander directly responsible for a July 7 explosive-formed penetrator attack on Coalition Forces.  He is also thought to be involved in a Jan. 11 kidnapping and torture of more than 15 Iraqi Sunni citizens in New Baghdad.  This facilitator is further alleged to be a leader of an extra-judicial killing cell that participates in weapons trafficking and poses as Iraqi Police officers at false checkpoints. In Hit, Iraqi Security Forces detained another IED maker and facilitator allegedly responsible for a vehicle-born IED attack on an Iraqi Police officer and set-up several IEDs during Ramadan on a route routinely used by Coalition Forces.  Two other suspected insurgents, one identified as the facilitator’s brother, were detained during the raid.

 

Paratroopers capture six IED cell members

KALSU, Iraq – Paratroopers captured six members, to include two lieutenants, of an improvised explosive device cell responsible for attacks against Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces in North Babil Oct. 17. Paratroopers from Company B, 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, detained the men during Operation Salcha, an early morning raid. Nylander believes security in the area will visibly improve since paratroopers have begun to target the cell so effectively. The two lieutenants were implicated by numerous sources for their involvement in several IED attacks along Iraq’s Highway 1, as well as the bombing of another roadway east of Haswah.  The incident near Haswah completely severed the road, making it impassable.

 

3rd IA seizes caches in Alo, Nahwa, Khuwait villages

TAL’AFAR, Iraq – Iraqi Army soldiers seized weapons and ammunitions in several villages in northeast Tal’Afar, Iraq, Oct. 14-15. IA soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division, discovered nearly 500 pounds of homemade explosives, to include 10 improvised explosive devices in five-gallon containers, two rocket launchers with five rockets, more than 250 radios and a suicide vest concealed throughout the villages of Alo, Nahwa and Khuwait. Additionally, they seized multiple spools of wire and IED components, thousands of rounds of ammunition, counterfeit IDs and documents, and anti-Iraqi Security Forces propaganda and cassettes. All of the seized material was moved to Tal’Afar and consolidated, with the explosives and IEDs being destroyed by Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal specialists.

 

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda seeking refuge: 11 killed, two detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 11 terrorists and detained two suspects during an operation Oct. 15-18 near Samarra along the Tigris River Valley. Recent intelligence indicated villages in the area are used as safe havens for al-Qaeda in Iraq cells and foreign terrorist facilitators. Reports also indicated the area is used by al-Qaeda to operate illegal checkpoints, conduct meetings and to launch operations.  Upon entering the area late Monday, Coalition forces observed several groups of men from multiple locations gathering into positions in nearby palm groves. One group then began to maneuver toward the ground force. Perceiving hostile intent, supporting aircraft was used to suppress the threat, killing five terrorists and wounding one suspect who was subsequently detained. As the ground force secured the area they discovered a weapons cache consisting of 105mm artillery rounds, one homemade rocket firing mount and several AK-47 ammunition magazines. During operations Tuesday, time-sensitive intelligence led Coalition forces to the location of a suspected improvised explosive device cell member. The targeted man and another suspect surrendered to the ground force without incident. The men also positively identified the suspected terrorist that was captured on Monday as another member of the cell. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Coalition forces discovered several weapons caches in marsh areas that were connected by a series of small trails and tunnels. While searching one of the caches, the ground force was engaged by a man with an assault rifle. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged, wounding the man. Following the engagement, a group of men in a truck drove toward Coalition forces, demonstrating hostile intent. Supporting aircraft engaged the threat, killing six terrorists. As Coalition forces cleared the area, they discovered additional weapons caches with mortar systems, mortar rounds, 20mm ammunition rounds, homemade pressure plate mines, and homemade mines filled with nails for projectiles. All weapons were safely destroyed on site.

 

MND-B Soldiers capture alleged extremist cell leader

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers captured an alleged high-ranking leader of an extremist cell along with three other suspected insurgents near Sab Al Bor, Iraq, Oct. 18. During an operation to locate extremist members and gather information on the Al Qaeda in Iraq network, Soldiers from Battery C, Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and Soldiers from Troop A, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, worked in a concerted effort to capture the cell leader and three of his alleged accomplices. Aviation assets from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cav. Div. assisted in the operation. When the operation began, the Battery C troops moved toward a house from which the cell leader and his accomplices were allegedly operating. As soon as the Battery C troops entered the house, two men ran from the building. As this occurred, Troop A, 1-7 Cav. moved in and isolated the two men who were trying to flee. Shortly afterward, they were able to move into another nearby house and capture the cell leader and one other suspect. The extremist leader is part of a cell which is allegedly responsible for numerous murders in the Sab Al Bor area; the making of improvised explosive devices and conducting kidnappings in the area. The cell has been known to launch attacks against innocent civilians as well as on Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

 

Explosives cache discovered in East Baghdad

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, discovered an explosives cache in the Rusafa District of eastern Baghdad Oct. 18. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, found 600 pounds of powder explosive; three 35-kilogram containers of liquid explosive; one 105mm artillery round; two 60mm mortar rounds; and assorted electrical components used for bomb-making.

 

Four suspected militants detained in Zabul Province

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –Four suspected militants were detained by Coalition forces conducting an operation today in Zabul Province. While carrying out an operation to disrupt violent extremist activities in the Shajoy District, Coalition forces met with hostile resistance during a search of a compound in the area. “During a search of several buildings in the Shajoy District, Coalition forces received small-arms fire from one of the buildings on the compound,” said Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. “Coalition forces returned fire, effectively ending the attack.” Resuming their search, Coalition forces detained four individuals intelligence sources indicated as having possible ties with militant forces.

 

 Oct. 18 airpower summary: KC-10s sustain airborne operations