Good News From The War On Terror 11/30
An Nasiriyah SWAT operation targets extremist IED facilitators
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Police from the An Nasiriyah Special Weapons and Tactics unit targeted two known improvised explosive device facilitators during security operations Nov. 30 near An Nasiriyah.
In a continuing Iraqi effort to rid Dhi Qar of violent elements and improve security, An Nasiriyah SWAT conducted operations to disrupt several extremist networks operating near An Nasiriyah. These networks are responsible for multiple IED and explosively formed projectile attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces in the region.
One targeted individual is reported to be an extremist company commander and primary facilitator for an IED network in An Nasiriyah. The second targeted individual is reportedly a primary IED builder in the area. He is believed to be involved in at least eight IED and EFP attacks in the area stretching between April and November 2007.
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops captured seven suspected terrorists during ongoing operations in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Nov. 27.
On the morning of Nov. 27, two suspects were arrested by Iraqi Security Volunteers in the Doura region. The suspects were detained on suspicion of murder, kidnapping and theft. They were handed over to elements of the 4-64th Combined Arms Battalion and 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment. The suspects are being held for further questioning.
A few hours later, “Black Lions” of Company C, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, attached to Task Force Tuskers from 4-64th CAB, raided two houses in West Rashid and detained five other suspected terrorists. The five taken in the raid are also being held for questioning.
Black Lions arrest alleged extremist leaders
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad forces arrested two alleged criminal extremist leaders and another suspect during a cordon and search operation in West Rashid, Nov. 28.
“Black Lions” from Company D, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, captured the suspects during an early morning operation.
One of the alleged extremist leaders suspected of ordering attacks on Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, assassinations and kidnappings, was detained after he tried to drive through a checkpoint.
Another alleged extremist leader, believed to have ordered mortar and rocket attacks on Coalition bases, rocket-propelled grenade attacks and placing improvised explosive devices, was also arrested during the raid. The two alleged insurgents, along with a third suspect, are being held for further questioning.
Tip leads to cache in eastern Baghdad
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, recovered a weapons cache for the fourth time in a week in eastern Baghdad, Nov. 28.
Acting on a tip from an area resident, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment found five 120mm mortar rounds, 34 82mm mortar rounds, eight 60mm mortar rounds, six rocket-propelled grenade rounds, one 60mm mortar base plate, 150 rounds of small arms ammunition and four improvised explosive device triggers.
The discovery comes as U.S. and Iraqi forces continue to sweep out insurgent strongholds in eastern Baghdad. There has been a substantial reduction in violence in eastern Baghdad, and the recovered cache builds on that momentum.
VBIED discovered near office of COR member; more than 40 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition forces discovered a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, or VBIED, near the office compound of Council of Representatives member Adnan al-Dulaimi yesterday while pursuing suspected criminals.
More than 40 suspected criminals have been detained as a result of this operation.
Iraqi and Coalition forces responded to a report of the murder of a Concerned Local Citizen member approximately one block from al-Dulaimi's office compound. Witnesses observed the murder.
Coalition forces found a car matching the description of one that left the murder scene parked in the street and two men apparently taking refuge in al-Dulaimi's office compound. Coalition and Iraqi forces questioned al-Dulaimi's security guards and detained eight of them.
Independent of the murder investigation, a separate vehicle was found on the street outside of al-Dulaimi's office compound, and it appeared to be wired as a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, or SVBIED. One of the eight detained security guards had in his possession the keys to the SVBIED.
An additional five suspects were detained at a checkpoint near the office compound.
During the transfer of detainees, one suspect escaped. Iraqi Security Forces fired at the fleeing man, wounding two civilians, who were transported to a local hospital.
Coalition forces destroyed the VBIED with a controlled detonation, but a secondary explosion wounded five Coalition force soldiers and one Iraqi civilian, who was evacuated to a medical treatment facility. The Coalition force soldiers sustained only minor injuries and were returned to duty.
Iraqi security forces went to the residence of al-Dulaimi, approximately a half kilometer from his office compound, where they found him at home, detained 30-40 additional security and staff, and asked al-Dulaimi to remain in his residence for his own personal safety. Iraqi Security Forces posted guards outside his home and placed a curfew in the area.
The incidents are currently under investigation.
Coalition forces find weapons caches with help from local Iraqis; 18 suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 18 suspects Monday through Thursday during operations north of Bayji.
During a multi-day operation, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq networks operating north of Bayji. Reports indicate al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders routinely traveled through the targeted area, and used it as a logistical sanctuary and safe haven to plan and coordinate attacks.
With the help of two local Iraqis the ground force located and detained 18 suspected terrorists and discovered two weapons caches, which were safely destroyed on site.
During the same operation Thursday, Coalition forces returned to the community and offered their condolences to local leaders and the families of three civilians killed Monday when their vehicle sped through a road block, ignoring Coalition forces’ warnings.
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 17 suspects late Thursday and today, during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During operations near Sharqat, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a key member in al-Qaeda in Iraq’s media and propaganda network. Reports indicate the wanted individual may have been using the target area as a safe haven to re-establish the network after significant degradation by Coalition forces’ recent operations.
Upon entering the target area, Coalition forces saw a vehicle leaving the target building carrying six individuals traveling toward them at a high rate of speed. After firing warning shots, the vehicle continued to display hostile intent. Coalition forces engaged the vehicle, when it turned around and dropped two armed men off at the target building.
The ground force entered and safely secured the building, and found that the two men had been wounded during the earlier engagement. One of the wounded received immediate medical care, but later succumbed to his wounds at a military medical facility. The other wounded suspect also received medical treatment by a Coalition forces medical expert, and was transferred to a military medical facility. He was detained along with four suspects, including the wanted individual.
A female civilian, who had been in the vehicle, also received a minor laceration on her arm, but she was treated on site and left with Iraqi police. While searching the building, the ground force also discovered four AK-47 machine guns and one military style bullet-proof vest.
Later, while targeting al-Qaeda’s car-bombing network in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a close associate of several senior car-bombing leaders in Karkh. The wanted individual, who reportedly is an al-Qaeda cell leader involved in attacks against Coalition forces in the Arab Jabour area, was subsequently detained along with two other suspected terrorists.
Coalition forces targeted individuals reportedly involved in foreign terrorist facilitation during three more precision operations. One of the targeted individuals is believed to be involved in the movement of weapons and to have ties to senior al-Qaeda in Iraq operating in the southern belt region. During an operation in the capital city, Coalition forces called for the occupants of several adjacent buildings to come out, but no one complied, so the ground force entered and detained six suspects.
In Mosul, Coalition forces targeted another terrorist associated with foreign terrorist facilitation. During the operation, the ground force captured a wanted individual believed to have information on the terrorist facilitation network. The suspect is also reportedly a direct contact of several terrorist senior leaders who were recently detained by Coalition forces for their role in al-Qaeda operations. The wanted individual was identified by a family member and subsequently detained.
Early today, southeast of Samarra, the ground force targeted an alleged leader in the al-Qaeda network operating in the city. The target area was believed to be an al-Qaeda safe house for the wanted individual and served as a headquarters for foreign terrorists. Upon arriving at the area, the ground force entered and secured two buildings and detained two suspects without incident.
