Good News From The War On Terror 11/24-25
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain four in overnight operations
BALAD – Iraqi Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two known extremist company commanders and two additional suspects during operations Nov. 23 targeting criminal groups operating within Iraq.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces and U.S. Special Forces conducted a raid in northeast Baghdad specifically targeting two extremist company commanders. The individuals are reported to be responsible for numerous small arms fire attacks and multiple improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces as well as the kidnapping and killing of numerous Iraqi citizens in the Beida area.
In a separate operation, Iraqi Police along with U.S. Special Forces conducted a raid to disrupt the command structure of a terrorist network operating in Samarra. Two suspects were detained during the operation.
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 10 suspects during operations Saturday in central and northern Iraq.
Coalition forces captured a wanted individual southwest of Kirkuk during operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators. Reports indicate the wanted individual was involved with reorganizing al-Qaeda in Iraq in the Hawija region. During the operation, as Coalition forces approached the target building, they saw several armed men leave the building attempting to evade the ground force. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing one terrorist. Upon entering a nearby building, Coalition forces discovered a man being held in chains, and reports indicate he was being held hostage for $150,000. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained three suspects during the operation, two of whom were wounded. The wounded suspects received medical care on site before being detained.
During an operation in central Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a financier for al-Qaeda in Iraq operations. The wanted individual is allegedly associated with several senior terrorist leaders, including some involved in car-bombing attacks. During the operation, Coalition forces entered a mosque’s surrounding complex, but did not enter the mosque itself. Coalition forces respect Muslim religious sites, and they took great care to ensure the Mosque and surrounding complex were left as they were found. The wanted individual identified himself to Coalition forces and was subsequently detained, along with five other suspects.
Coalition forces target al-Qaeda media cells, foreign terrorists; 24 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 24 suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations north of Samarra. The wanted individual is believed to be involved in al-Qaeda in Iraq media networks and was involved in attacks against Coalition forces. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained three suspects without incident. During other operations in Samarra, Coalition force detained 11 suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda’s courier and media networks, as well as weapons facilitators and associates of senior terrorist leaders.
During operations in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual reportedly involved in the Karkh car-bombing network and a close associate to several Karkh al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained four suspects without incident.
West of Yusufiyah, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual allegedly associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and foreign terrorists in the Southern Belt. During the operation, Coalition forces called for the targeted building's occupants to come out and they complied. The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained.
South of Darband-i-Khan, Coalition forces detained one suspect believed to be associated with a terrorist courier network between Iraq and neighboring countries.
In Mosul, Coalition forces also detained two suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operations, weapons procurement and foreign terrorist facilitators.
Coalition forces capture criminal element leader, two others detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader and detained two other suspected criminals during operations late Friday in Ar Rashidiyah, north of Baghdad, near the Tigris River.
The targeted individual reportedly directed his splinter group cell to attack Coalition forces and assassinate Iraqis who work with Coalition forces. Intelligence also showed the primary focus of the wanted individual’s criminal element was explosively formed penetrator emplacement, murder and kidnapping.Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they conducted raids on multiple buildings that resulted in the capture of the suspected criminal and the detainment of two additional suspects. All suspected criminals were detained without incident.
During the operations, ground forces also discovered multiple assault rifle ammunition magazines.
Ten killed, eight detained as Coalition forces target al-Qaeda senior leaders
BAGHDAD – Ten terrorists were killed and eight suspects detained during Coalition forces operations Saturday north of Samarra.
During three coordinated operations early Saturday, Coalition forces targeted senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and associates, killing a wanted individual, believed to be associated with the Badush prison escape in March. Reports indicate that the wanted individual had previously been imprisoned for weapons smuggling.
As the ground force approached the target area, they were engaged by armed men who were then observed maneuvering into defensive positions near a reed line. Responding in self-defense, the ground force called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing eight terrorists, including the wanted individual. Seven suspects were detained as Coalition forces cleared the target area.
The ground force found a sniper rifle, machine guns and military-style vest from searching the area. All the weapons were safely destroyed on site to prevent further use by terrorists.
Saturday afternoon, Coalition forces detained one suspect during operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. When the ground force arrived in the area, they observed three men inside of a vehicle and called for them to come out. One man complied and was subsequently detained. The other two remained inside the vehicle and detonated a suicide vest, causing the vehicle to explode, killing both men. Once the fire was out, the ground force secured the area and found a pistol and the detonated suicide vest.
Taliban weapons smuggling operations disrupted
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Five suspected militants were detained during a Coalition forces’ operation Friday targeting Taliban weapons smuggling operations in Zabul Province.
Coalition forces conducted a search of several compounds where it was indicated Taliban weapons facilitators were conducting weapons smuggling operations in the Shajoy district of Zabul Province.
Coalition forces detained five individuals during the course of the operation, two of which were armed. The individuals were indicated to be linked with Taliban weapons smuggling operations. The individuals will be questioned as to their involvement in weapons facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities.
The weapons and ammunition were destroyed on-site to prevent further use by militant forces.
Elite Afghan force continues to neutralize Taliban insurgents
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Afghan 3rd Company, 1st Commando Kandak, conducted an air-assault raid at dawn on the compound of a high-level Taliban facilitator, kicking off a four-day offensive operation named Commando Fury in the Tag Ab Valley, Kapisa Province, Nov. 10-14.
Upon receiving credible intelligence, the Commandos quickly mobilized and launched on a flight of five Coalition helicopters. As the sun broke over the Sur Ghar Mountains, the Taliban knew the unit was upon them. Within moments, dust swirled as the helicopters set down within feet of their target building. Taliban fled in every direction as the Commandos leapt from the aircraft. Through the tumult, emerged 30 plus Commandos. Seconds later, the assaulters breached the entrance and cleared the first of many enemy compounds.
The Taliban scurried to escape the pursuit, but a convoy of more than 30 Afghan Commando vehicles sped toward the objective to block the enemy retreat. A joint effort by the Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army assisted the Commando battalion in disrupting the Taliban hold on the Tag Ab Valley as Commandos hit target after target. Taliban were met at every turn by the combined Afghan force.
Afghan Commandos return home victorious
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan –The 3rd Company, 1st Commando Kandak returned home, victorious, after four days of intense fighting in operation Commando Fury, Tagab Valley, Kapisa Province, Nov. 15.
During one fire fight of the operation, the unit stormed the compound of a known Taliban leader in Mollakheyl village. Upon capturing their six Taliban targets, insurgents besieged the commandos in the compound.
While under intense machine-gun fire, the commandos quickly and decisively positioned heavy-weapon systems to eliminate their enemies. As commando snipers pounded enemy fighting positions with precision fire, the Taliban attempted a retreat. The 3rd Company directed air strikes to finish the fight, and rockets and machine-gun fire rained from the sky.
The Commandos emerged from the fire fight unscathed; capturing six insurgents and killing another six.
Later in the campaign, the commandos surrounded Taliban forces in Nowruzkheyl village, the site of a previous ambush of Afghan National Police forces. Under the cover of darkness, a platoon of commandos infiltrated more than a kilometer, undetected, towards the enemy stronghold.
During the battle, commandos seized their target building, and its inhabitants.
Upon their return to base, one commando left a message for the Taliban: “You are no longer safe to terrorize Afghans or to stand in the way of prosperity for our people. As you sleep at night, remember this: One day, when you open your eyes, I will be there,” he said.
Nov. 23 airpower summary: F-16 strike takes out terrorists
