Good News From The War On Terror 11/5
Coalition forces find terrorist detention facility, large weapons cache
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces found an alleged terrorist detention facility and several weapons caches Friday during an operation to disrupt al-Qaeda and foreign terrorist operations in central Iraq.
Intelligence gained from previous Coalition forces operations led the ground force to an area believed to be a safe haven for foreign terrorists. In the 24-hour operation in west Samarra, Coalition forces discovered a bunker allegedly used as a terrorist detention facility and an area with several hidden weapons caches. Among other weapons, ammunition and military equipment, the ground forces found anti-aircraft weaponry, 12 AK-47 rifles, 18 mortar tubes, 37 mortar rounds, four rocket propelled grenades, 96 RPG fuses, and eight RPG launchers. Logistical supplies, to include hygiene kits, propane tanks, lanterns, blankets and a space heater, were also found on site by Coalition forces.
An expert explosives team was used to safely destroy the detention facility to prevent further use by terrorists, and supporting aircraft was called to destroy the weapons, which were consolidated into a nearby bunker.
Tips Lead To Eight Insurgent Suspects
BAGHDAD – Tips led Multi-National Division-Baghdad forces to arrest eight men suspected of insurgent activities during combat operations in the Doura area of the Iraqi capital Nov. 3.
During two early morning raids based on tips from concerned citizens, Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armored Regiment, part of Task Force Vanguard and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, captured three men suspected of placing improvised explosive devices along one of the main streets in the area.
In two simultaneous raids just before noon on the east side of Doura, “Raiders” of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th IBCT, arrested three men suspected of participating in IED placement and alleged involvement in murders.
Tips led “Warriors” of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Inf. Div., attached to the 4th IBCT, to detain a man suspected of attacks against the Iraqi National Police.
That evening, “Warriors” from Co. B, 2-12 Inf., arrested an individual suspected of placing IEDs and forcing families to leave their homes.
All detainees are being held for further questioning.
Caches found, destroyed near Arab Jabour
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Two separate weapons caches were found in Arab Jabour Nov. 2.
Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division discovered a weapons cache that consisted of 50 82mm mortars, a four-pound bag of homemade explosives and 400 anti-aircraft artillery rounds.
A separate weapons cache was found in the same area by Soldiers from Company C, 1-30 Inf. Regt., 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. The cache consisted of 10 anti-personnel mines, eight pounds of HME and three rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
With Operation Centurion V, the concerned citizens began interacting with commanders and saw Coalition Forces supporting them; now, the citizens are actively going after insurgents and their resources, Weis said.
An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed both caches with controlled detonations.
Iraqi Security Forces conduct large independent operation
KIRKUK, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces conducted a large independent ground force operation Nov. 3.
Iraqi Security Forces, planned, led and executed Operation Aaradil Hass’m in the Rashad area of Kirkuk Province supported by Coalition Forces’ close air support and a small team of advisors.
The operation netted three wanted extremists, evidence of a possible insurgent training camp, and a weapons cache.
The operation involved more than 800 Iraqi Soldiers and Airmen, and resulted in no civilian or military casualties. The captured detainees were wanted for making improvised explosive devices in conjunction with attacks on both Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces.
The cache contained several AK-47s, pistols and materials used to make IEDs. The operation was also used to assess possible health, humanitarian and infrastructure support.
Tip leads to Iraqi Army to two caches, 6 detained
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division captured six suspected extremists and recovered two caches in the Zafaraniya neighborhood of eastern Baghdad on Nov. 3.
The captures and recovery of the two caches occurred after receiving a tip from an area resident.
Weapons recovered included one sniper rifle with 200 rounds of ammunition, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, two rocket-propelled heat round,; 19 grenades, one AK-47, one 12-inch blade, and three 100-round belts of ammunition. Other items recovered included seven identification cards, two handheld radios, one radio charger and one Iraqi Army uniform.
The discoveries were the fourth and fifth weapons cache recovery by Iraqi Security Forces in the past two weeks in eastern Baghdad. The suspects are being held for further questioning.
Iraqi Security Forces detain 22 suspected extremists in separate raids
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi Army Soldiers, advised by U.S. Special Operations Forces, detained 22 suspected extremists in two raids in Kubaysah and near Taji Nov. 3.
During the raid in Kubaysah, members of the Hit, Iraq, Special Weapons and Tactics team along with U.S. Special Operations Forces captured an entire extremist cell believed to be operating along the highway linking Ramadi to Rutbah. Captured were four primary targets along with four other suspects. The cell was reportedly conducting improvised explosive device attacks, murder, intimidation and sniper attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
Near Taji, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers detained fourteen suspects during operations targeting known foreign fighters and extremists who were reportedly part of cell responsible for an attack on a U.S. helicopter.
Iraqi Army detains 81, discovers large weapons cache
BALAD, Iraq – Soldiers of the 8th and 10th Iraqi Army Divisions, advised by U.S. Special Forces, discovered a large weapons cache during an operation to clear al Qaeda in Iraq activity near Suwayrah Nov. 2.
The clearing operation, planned and executed by the Iraqi Army, resulted in 81 people being detained for further questioning. The weapons cache, consisting of 42 120mm mortar rounds, 10 152mm mortar rounds, 10 anti-tank rounds, 15 kilograms of high explosives, 25 rocket propelled grenades and 61 recoiless rifle rounds, was confiscated.
The assault force came under small arms fire during a portion of the operation. Three Iraqi Army Soldiers were injured and evacuated to medical treatment facilities.
Five terrorists killed, 30 suspects detained during Coalition operations
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed five terrorists and detained 30 suspects Monday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During operations northwest of Baqubah, Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader believed to specialize in sniper attacks and emplacement of improvised explosive device weapons. As the ground force approached the target area, 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 three terrorists, one of whom was wearing a suicide vest. As the ground force secured the area, they discovered multiple grenades, small arms weapons and ammunition. Coalition forces detained two suspects.
Coalition forces conducted an operation in Tarmiyah targeting the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Tarmiyah sector of the northern belt. Reports indicate the targeted individual was previously part of a terrorist group that conducted attacks against Iraqi citizens for not following Sharia law. During the operation, surveillance elements observed the targeted individual in the area and supporting aircraft was called to strike the time-sensitive target. Secondary explosions erupted from the building, indicating that weapons and ammunition were stored inside. As Coalition forces cleared the surrounding area, they discovered two terrorists believed to be killed by the initial blast, small arms ammunition and rocket-propelled grenades. The target building ignited from the secondary explosions, preventing the ground force from assessing the building’s interior.
During an operation in Kirkuk, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader and career terrorist considered an expert in making car bombs used to attack Iraqi citizens and an alleged associate of several al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders, including Abu Ayyub al-Masri and his predecessor, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, killed during a Coalition forces operation in June 2006. Reports indicate he was responsible for the suicide car-bombing attack that destroyed the Taji Bridge Aug. 14, killing approximately 10 Iraqi civilians and wounding six. Surveillance elements led Coalition forces to the wanted individual’s location and seven other suspected insurgents were detained without incident.
North of Tikrit, Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals during operations targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader reportedly involved in weapons facilitation, mortar training, improvised explosive device emplacement and facilitating funds from outside of Iraq. Both are reportedly associates of terrorist leaders, and one of the captured individuals is believed to have ties to terrorist networks in Haditha and is allegedly a subordinate of the leader for the al-Qaeda network operating in the Salah Ad Din province. Coalition forces detained six suspects during these operations.
In Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations targeting an alleged associate of a Mosul-based foreign terrorist facilitator. Additionally, nine suspects were detained without incident.
West of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an individual suspected of recruiting for al-Qaeda and allegedly an associate of a terrorist leader in the Fallujah area and a foreign terrorist facilitator. Two suspects were detained without incident.
