Good News From The War On Terror 10/30-31
Four terrorists killed, 17 suspects detained during Coalition operations
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 17 suspects during operations late Monday and early Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
South of Baghdad, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged terrorist cell leader believed to be involved in attacks against Coalition forces in the Arab Jabour area. Reports indicate the targeted individual was a close associate of several al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.
During the operation, Coalition forces began to clear the target area and observed four armed men maneuver into a ditch. When the ground force approached, they were engaged by enemy fire from two separate locations. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged, killing one terrorist believed to be the targeted individual. Supporting aircraft was called to suppress the enemy fire, killing another armed terrorist.
Coalition forces continued to track the remaining armed men, engaging and killing one additional terrorist. As the ground force proceeded to clear the area, they observed a man emerge from the rear of a building and run to a nearby palm grove. He did not comply when directed to come out from hiding by Coalition forces. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged killing the individual. Three suspects were also detained on site during the operation.
During an operation in Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in terrorist activity in the city. The suspect was allegedly attempting to recruit Iraqi Army intelligence officers to gain information on Iraqis working with Coalition forces. Time-sensitive intelligence led the ground force to the wanted individual’s exact location where he and one other suspect, believed to be his brother, were detained.
Coalition forces detained three suspects during an operation northwest of Tarmiyah targeting an alleged terrorist media cell member involved in mailings, Internet postings and propaganda distribution. Intelligence information indicates the targeted individual is part of a group that records and reports terrorist operations near Tarmiyah. Past reporting indicates that the targeted individual also serves as a courier for the leader of the northern belt terrorist network. The network is believed to be involved in improvised explosive device and car-bombing attacks, foreign terrorist facilitation, extortion, intimidation and weapons trafficking.
In two coordinated operations near Kirkuk and in Bayji, Coalition forces targeted an individual believed to be the terrorist leader for the city. The targeted individual reportedly has a long history of involvement in al-Qaeda in Iraq and has numerous connections to senior terrorist leaders. In addition, the individual reportedly makes frequent trips to Mosul, coordinating terrorist operations and attacks in Kirkuk. The ground force detained eight suspects southwest of Kirkuk and one additional suspect in Bayji.
Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq, three terrorists killed
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists during an operation today targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in Kirkuk.
Coalition forces targeted an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the al-Tamim province. The individual allegedly has ties to several terrorist senior leaders operating throughout Iraq and is believed to be involved in a variety of roles within the network, to include oversight of assassinations and car-bombing attacks.
Upon arrival to the area, the ground forces called for the target building’s occupants to come out. As they were awaiting response, Coalition forces observed a group of men maneuvering toward them from the rooftop. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged, killing three terrorists.
Coalition forces capture targeted Special Groups member, eleven others detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and detained eleven others early Wednesday during an operation in support of ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.
The captured suspect is a Special Groups commander with close ties to several other criminal organization members. Intelligence further indicates the suspect conducted multiple types of criminal operations in the Khalis and Qasirin area. The suspected criminal appears to be directly linked to providing lethal weapons used against Coalition and Iraqi security forces, and innocent civilians.
Intelligence led ground forces to the Special Groups commander’s location. The wanted individual was captured on site and eleven others were detained without incident.
Coalition forces continue their successful targeting of Special Groups members throughout Iraq, to include operations Oct. 21 and 27 in Baghdad. During these operations, Coalition forces captured a wanted criminal, killed an estimated 51 terrorists and detained an additional 14 admitted Special Groups members for their roles in providing operational and logistical support.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces detain AQI commander, three others
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces conducted a raid Oct. 29 in Khadra detaining a suspected al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network leader and three others.
The AQI leader is believed to lead four insurgent groups who are suspected of conducting attacks on Iraqi Security Forces and terrorizing local civilians. Coalition Forces believe he and his network are involved in attacks on Iraqi infrastructure and medical facilities, including the burning of Iraq’s main drug storehouse which provided medicine to sick citizens.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces were advised by U.S. Special Forces in the operation to capture the suspected terrorist. During the operation, Iraqi and U.S. Forces came under insurgent fire and responded with proportional return fire.
Rock Hammer III disrupts enemy supply network in Baqouba
BAQOUBA, Iraq – Operation Rock Hammer III, a joint Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces operation in southwestern Baqouba, resulted in the discovery of six weapons caches and a bomb-making factory Oct. 28, significantly reducing the enemy’s supply network.
Iraqi Army Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 5th Iraqi Army Division, partnered with Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted the operation to prevent extremist organizations from disrupting the progress in Baqouba. Local citizens continued to provide information which led to several of the discoveries.
The caches and factory consisted of more than 150 pounds of home-made explosives, 47 fire extinguishers, four of which were already filled with HME; five rocket-propelled grenades; more than 10 assorted mortar rounds, and a variety of improvised explosive device materials to include strands of copper wire, initiating devices, batteries and oxygen canisters. Multiple small-arms munitions and terrorist propaganda flyers were also discovered.
A Coalition Forces’ explosive ordnance disposal unit destroyed the caches and factory on site.
Six suspected insurgents detained in Kandahar City
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –Afghan National Security and Coalition forces detained six suspected insurgents during an operation in Kandahar City, Afghanistan, early this morning.
Credible intelligence led the ANSF and Coalition forces to a compound suspected of housing the militants. One of the detainees is suspected of being a Taliban improvised explosive device (IED) facilitator. Also found in the compound were significant amounts of IED material, weapons and ammunition.
The suspected insurgents were taken to a military detention facility for processing and subsequently handed over to the Afghan authorities. Coalition forces believe this arrest will disrupt the flow of IED materials to other insurgents in Kandahar City.
ANSF, Coalition forces kill several Taliban fighters in Oruzgan Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security and Coalition forces killed several Taliban fighters, and captured three additional insurgents near Tarin Kowt village, Oruzgan Province today.
The combined force was conducting a reconnaissance patrol when Taliban fighters engaged them with small-arms fire. ANSF and Coalition forces returned accurate small-arms and machine gun fire, quickly putting the enemy on the defensive. The insurgents attempted to break contact and moved into a nearby compound.
The insurgents reengaged friendly elements with large volume of small-arms fire. The ANSF and Coalition forces patrol employed effective small-arms and close air support, killing several Taliban insurgents and wounding three others during the engagement. The three wounded fighters were treated by Coalition medics and turned over to the ANSF.
Several militants killed, two detained in Ghazni Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan- Coalition Forces conducted an operation Tuesday to detain militants in Ghazni Province
Coalition Forces conducted a search of compounds in the Gelan District where intelligence sources indicated militants were located.
While conducting a search of the compound, Coalition Forces received sniper fire from a militant in the area. Coalition forces returned fire killing the assailant. During the exchange several other militants fled the compound taking up positions outside the compound area. Coalition Forces engaged the militants with a combination of small arms and accurate conventional munitions killing several militants in the process.
After hostilities ceased, Coalition Forces continued their search of the buildings on the compound and subsequently detained two suspected militants. The individuals will be questioned as to their involvement with militant forces and other extremist activities.
