Good News From The War On Terror 10/7-8
Coalition Forces detain three suspected special group terrorists
BAGHDAD – Coalition Forces from the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division detained three terrorists associated with the Iranian-backed Special Groups Militia during a pre-dawn raid in Sadr City Oct. 6.
The individuals detained during the raid are believed to be members of the Special Groups Militia network known for kidnapping, facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively-formed penetrators from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq into Iran for military training.
No shots were fired by Coalition Forces during this precision raid.
The three insurgents captured are believed to be responsible for the kidnapping of five British contractors in Baghdad May 29.
Coalition forces kill one terrorist, detain nine suspects
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained nine suspects during operations Saturday and Sunday to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq networks operating in central and northern parts of the country.
Coalition forces conducted an operation Sunday in Mosul targeting an associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq believed to be responsible for fuel distribution to the city’s terrorist network. As the ground force prepared to depart the target area, they were engaged by small arms fire and a suicide car bomber driving toward them. Responding to the hostile threat, the ground force engaged the armed man driving the vehicle in self defense, killing him. The vehicle caught fire and continued to move toward Coalition forces, but caused no damage or injuries.
In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual reported to be involved in the planning and execution of numerous attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces. The individual also has close ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders operating a car-bombing network throughout Baghdad. Intelligence led the ground force to a location where the wanted individual and one other suspected terrorist were detained without incident. Upon initial questioning, the wanted individual agreed to lead Coalition forces to the location of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader in the car-bombing network. At the follow-on location, the ground force observed a man in the building’s window brandish a rifle. Perceiving a hostile threat, Coalition forces engaged and the man was wounded. After securing the area, the assault force learned that the armed man was not involved in the terrorist network and he was treated on site and transported to a nearby military medical center.
In an operation in Tikrit, Coalition forces targeted an associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq believed to be involved in kidnapping operations, weapons facilitation and the development of improvised explosive devices. The ground force detained five suspected terrorists on site without incident.
West of Samarra Saturday, Coalition forces conducted a precision operation targeting an associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader involved in foreign terrorist facilitation in the Tigris River Valley. Time-sensitive intelligence led the ground force to a location where two suspected terrorists were detained.
Operation Eagle Shiloh III results in detention of 17 suspected terrorists
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 17 suspected terrorists during a combat operation in Mahmudiyah, Iraq, Oct. 6.
Soldiers from Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted Operation Eagle Shiloh III to capture an enemy 120mm mortar cell in the Said Abdulla Corridor, west of Mahmudiyah.
The mortar cell has been wanted for launching indirect fire attacks indiscriminately into the city.
Wanting to surprise terrorists, Soldiers air assaulted into the village and searched houses in the area.
While searching the houses, Soldiers detained 17 suspected terrorists and seized two AK-47s.
ISF, USSOF destroy explosive production facility; kill five following suicide-vest attack
BALAD, Iraq – In two separate operations Oct. 6, Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Operations Forces as advisers, destroyed a homemade explosive production facility near Fallujah and killed five insurgents after a suicide-vest attack in Baghdad.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces conducted an early-morning raid to detain an al Qaeda in Iraq Amir for the Arab Jabour area who is suspected of being involved in small-arms fire, deeply buried and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks, as well as extra-judicial killings.
While the assault force went in pursuit of two fleeing insurgents, one of the insurgents detonated a suicide-vest killing himself and another insurgent. Two U.S. Special Forces Soldiers received minor shrapnel wounds and have returned to duty.
During the assault five enemy insurgents were killed in a small-arms firefight. One insurgent was wounded and taken into custody with six other suspected insurgents.
In an earlier operation, Iraqi Security Forces conducted an intelligence-driven helicopter raid on a known HME production facility, detaining one suspected insurgent, southeast of Lake Thar Thar.
While clearing the buildings located near Fallujah, the assault force discovered multiple types of rounds and weapons. The detained insurgent tested positive for nitrates and explosives residue on his hands. Additionally, multiple rolls of plastic film which had obviously been used for drying explosives, was identified.
There were scattered piles of HME throughout the film and some scattered HME outside the targeted building. Because of the instability of the HME, close air support was called in to destroy the building with a well-aimed proportionate fire. No civilians, U.S. or Iraqi Forces were injured during the raid or destruction of the building.
Coalition forces target Special Groups member; five killed, three detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five gunmen and detained three suspected Special Groups members early Monday in Eastern Baghdad during an operation conducted to assist in the local reconciliation efforts.
Coalition forces were targeting an individual reported to be a long-time Special Groups commander with close ties to numerous senior members of the organization. Intelligence reports also indicate he has ties to the current kidnapping network and is involved in directing recent explosively formed penetrator, or EFPs, and improvised explosive device attacks in the area.
Intelligence sources led the ground force to an area reported to be the location of the targeted individual. Upon arrival, the ground force received sustained small arms fire and, responding in self-defense, engaged the enemy, killing four gunmen and wounding three. In addition, three suspects were detained on-site without incident.
After departing from the target, the ground force observed one criminal attempting to emplace an IED. Coalition forces fired warning shots in attempt to cease the individual’s activity, but he refused to comply. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged, killing him.
Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Operations Forces dismantle terrorist cells, kill one insurgent
BALAD, Iraq – During three separate operations Oct. 7, Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Operations Forces as advisers, detained 14 suspected terrorists and killed one insurgent throughout Iraq.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained a key al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader, a second cousin to the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, during an intelligence driven raid in northern Mosul.
The suspected cell leader is believed to be heavily involved with transporting money and equipment from Syria to terrorist cells in the Mosul area. He is also believed to be involved with sniper attacks, as well as improvised explosive device and vehicle-borne IED attacks against Coalition Forces and Iraqi Police. He is directly linked to a VBIED attack Sept. 28 that resulted in a destroyed bridge overpass.
The assault force detained two suspected cell members and seized an AK-47 assault rifle with associated ammunition, a safe, passports, ledgers, blank identification cards, video tapes and a computer.
In the Wasit Province, Iraqi Security Forces detained ten suspected terrorists and killed one insurgent during a targeted raid for a terrorist cell believed to be linked to multiple IED attacks, as well as explosively formed projectile and direct fire attacks against Coalition Forces in the Zubadiyah area.
The group is allegedly responsible for an Aug. 23 EFP attack on an Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces patrol that killed two Soldiers and wounded three more.
Additionally, intelligence reports indicate that the terrorists have been meeting with members of the al-Qaeda in Iraq criminal network to plan future attacks.
During the operation, one insurgent was killed by close air support fire as he was attempting to ambush the assault force.
Near Fallujah, Iraqi Army Scouts detained a leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq affiliated IED cell during an early morning raid in the village of Nasser Wa Salaam.
The targeted individual is allegedly responsible for the manufacturing of IEDs and VBIEDs as part of his insurgent cell. He is also thought to be responsible for attacking Iraqi Army personnel and a recent attempted abduction of a local national interpreter.
Afghan, Coalition forces kill 20 militants in Helmand Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Approximately 20 anti-Coalition militants were killed early this morning in Helmand Province during an Afghan and Coalition forces operation to deter hostile activities in the area.
Acting on credible intelligence sources, Afghan and Coalition forces made their way to Reeg District where extremist forces were hiding.
During the course of operations, the combined force came under attack by anti-Coalition militants using automatic and small-arms weapons. Precision munitions and small-arms fire were used to suppress the attacks, killing more than 20 combatants.
Suspected militants detained in Paktia Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan and Coalition forces detained four suspected militants in an operation early today in an effort to degrade extremist activities in the region.
Acting on credible intelligence, the combined force proceeded to compounds in the Gardez District of Paktia Province where the suspected anti-coalition militants were hiding.
After conducting a search of the compounds, they found and detained four individuals with suspected ties to extremist forces.
The detainees will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.
