Good News From The War On Terror 11/9
Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces kill 14 enemy fighters, detain 44 in northern Iraq
MOSUL, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, backed by Coalition Soldiers, killed 14 enemy fighters and detained 44 in a series of intelligence-driven strikes and early morning raids that took place within the last 48 hours as part of Operation Iron Hammer.
On Nov. 5, Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division discovered a cache of 130 blocks of TNT, as well as several rocket-propelled grenades, while conducting a raid in the al Aruba neighborhood of west Mosul. Across the river in east Mosul, Coalition Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment detained eight suspected enemy fighters after finding improvised explosive device-making components.
On Nov. 6, Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, in partnership with Coalition Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, discovered 200 pounds of homemade explosives and detained nine suspected enemy fighters south of Mosul near Qayarrah.
Coalition helicopters from the 4th Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Regiment assisted in killing four enemy fighters and destroying three enemy vehicles in east Mosul after the individuals were observed transferring weapons and demonstrating hostile intent.
Multiple secondary explosions were seen from the vehicles, confirming their cargo of illegal weapons and ammunition.
ISF troops detained 22 individuals in operations throughout the province and Coalition Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment added nine detained enemy fighters from the area west of Mosul near Tal’Afar.
Coalition forces target al-Qaeda leadership; two terrorists killed
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two terrorists Thursday afternoon during an operation to disrupt al-Qaeda leadership south of Samarra.
During the operation, Coalition forces were targeting an individual believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader of the terrorist network operating in the Salad Ad Din province. Reports indicate the targeted individual is heavily involved in the production and facilitation of improvised explosive device and car-bombing attacks, kidnappings, and small-arms and direct-fire attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces. The individual is also believed to lead a group of foreign terrorists, whom he allegedly uses to conduct car-bombing campaigns.
Intelligence reports led Coalition forces to a location where the targeted individual was believed to be operating. Coalition forces observed the individual maneuvering away from their location and fired warning shots directing him to stop his movement. The ground force was then engaged by enemy fire and, responding in self-defense, returned fire, igniting a vehicle. The ground force observed secondary explosions erupt from the vehicle, indicating that explosives were likely inside. Upon clearing the target area, Coalition forces assessed two terrorists were killed during the engagement, one whom is believed to be the targeted individual.
8th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers, U.S. Special Forces capture extremist in Diwianiyah
BALAD, Iraq – 8th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers, advised by U.S. Special Forces, captured a suspected extremist in an operation in Diwianiyah Nov. 8.
The targeted extremist is believed to be involved in illegal activities and have knowledge of several weapons and munitions caches that support explosively formed penetrator and indirect fire attacks against Coalition and Iraqi Forces.
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces wounded one suspected terrorist and detained 19 suspects Friday during operations to disrupt foreign terrorist networks in central Iraq.
Southeast of Fallujah, Coalition forces targeted an associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network responsible for insurgent activities in the region, to include car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks. As Coalition forces arrived at the target building, they were engaged by two armed men. Responding in self-defense, the ground force engaged and wounded a suspected terrorist, who received medical care on site and was taken to a military medical facility for additional care. The second armed man surrendered to Coalition forces and was subsequently detained, in addition to one other suspect. During the operation, one civilian received minor injuries and was treated on site.
Information gained from previous operations led Coalition forces south of Samarra, where they conducted three coordinated operations targeting associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader involved in anti-Coalition force attacks and foreign terrorist facilitation. During two of the operations, Coalition forces requested supporting aircraft, which safely destroyed two buildings reported to be used by foreign terrorist facilitators. The ground force saw secondary explosions from one of the buildings, indicating explosives were inside. The buildings were destroyed to prevent further use by terrorists.
Also in Samarra, as Coalition forces secured a target area, they found a small weapons cache, including several machine guns, suicide vests and multiple assault vests with ammunition. The ground force detained seven suspects. To prevent further use by terrorists, Coalition forces destroyed two buildings and two vehicles known to be associated with foreign terrorists and anti-Coalition forces.
Intelligence reports led Coalition forces east of Samarra, where they targeted locations believed to be safe havens for foreign terrorists. Upon entering the target area, Coalition forces called for several buildings’ occupants to come out and the occupants complied without incident. The ground force detained seven suspects on site.
During operations in Baghdad, Coalition forces targeted a suspected terrorist believed to be involved with car-bombs and a facilitator and trainer of suicide bombers. As Coalition forces secured the target area, they detained three suspects without incident.
Several Taliban killed in Helmand Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces engaged and killed several Taliban fighters near the Nahr Surkh District, Helmand Province, Nov. 7.
The combined force was conducting a reconnaissance patrol near the Nahr Surkh District when a significant number of insurgents engaged friendly elements with machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and small-arms fire. The combined force immediately engaged the Taliban fighters with small-arms fire and close air support, killing many of the insurgents before they fled the area.
Nov. 7 airpower summary: KC-10's fuel coalition missions
