Good News From The War On Terror 12/1
An Nasiriyah SWAT captures high-level IED facilitator, four others
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Police from the An Nasiriyah Special Weapons and Tactics team detained a suspected high-level improvised explosive device facilitator during operations Nov. 30 to disrupt extremist networks operating in the area.
The suspect is reported to be an extremist company commander and the primary facilitator for an IED network that is responsible for multiple IED attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces in the An Nasiriyah area.
The suspect has a history of travel to Iran and, when captured, the suspect had Iranian weapons and munitions in his possession. This included an Iranian rocket propelled grenade launcher, three new Iranian-made RPG rockets and boosters, several AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition.
Four other individuals were detained by SWAT for further questioning. Operations occurred without any significant incidents.
The operations were part of a continued Iraqi effort to rid Dhi Qar province of violent elements and improve security for Iraqi citizens.
Insurgent safe house, house-borne IED blown up
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – An insurgent safe house and an anti-aircraft weapon gun were destroyed by Coalition Forces near Arab Jabour Nov. 29.
A Kiowa helicopter from the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade took fire from an insurgent anti-aircraft weapon near a structure next to a palm grove. Three insurgents were seen leaving the weapon and entering the safe house. The building also had a machine gun nest on the roof.
Two U.S. Air Force F-16s engaged the enemy machine gun and safe house, destroying both.
The building was in the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division area of operations.
Later in the afternoon on Nov. 29, another building was destroyed in the area of Maderiyah. The building was believed to be rigged as a house-borne improvised explosive device. It was destroyed by a U.S. Air Force F-16. Secondary explosions were seen when the bomb detonated indicating explosives in the building.
The building belonged to al Qaeda in Iraq brothers who left the area earlier in the month after being wounded in attacks against Concerned Local Citizens and Coalition Forces.
Through intelligence provided by local Iraqis and patrols conducted by Soldiers from Battery B, 1st Battalion 9th Field Artillery, 2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., it was confirmed the building was rigged as an HBIED.
The patrol noticed wires leading out of the windows of the building. Inside the building, multiple jugs of unknown bulk explosive were observed.
After it was confirmed the structure was rigged with explosives, the decision was made to destroy it.
Coalition forces capture two targeted suspects; disrupt criminal network
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured two suspected criminals Friday during operations in the Kadhimyah and Sha’ab areas, near Baghdad.
Intelligence reports indicate the captured suspect in the Kadhmiyah area was a weapons facilitator for Special Group criminal elements. His logistics supply network includes Basrah, many locations in the Maysan province, and Baghdad.
The second suspect was reportedly a Special Groups weapons facilitator and distributor, who transported weapons from Baghdad to Diyala Province. The suspected criminal provided improvised explosive device and mortar instruction to subordinates, operational guidance, and various types of munitions to multiple criminal element cell leaders.
The suspected criminals were also reportedly associates of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Both wanted suspects were captured without incident.
Concerned Local Citizens, Coalition Forces secure 3 weapons caches
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Ongoing cooperation between Concerned Local Citizens and Coalition Forces led to the identification and eventual destruction of three weapons caches in Arab Jabour and Hawr Rajab Nov. 29.
Soldiers from Company E, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., located two improvised explosive devices in Arab Jabour. Each IED was made of three 57 mm projectiles. An explosive ordnance disposal team safely destroyed the six rounds.
As the EOD team was conducting the detonation, a group of CLCs approached them and turned over a pressure switch initiator. The group led the EOD team to the location where the switch was found. A second investigation led to the discovery of a smoke bomb.
In another location in Arab Jabour, CLCs brought Soldiers from Company B, 1-30th Inf. Regt. IED components. The components consisted of two 57 mm projectiles and a 4-pound bag of homemade explosives tied to the munitions.
An EOD team conducted a controlled detonation.
CLCs also delivered a cache in Hawr Rajab.
The cache consisted of 25 kg of HME, one 155 mm illumination round and one 155 mm high-explosive round. An EOD team safely destroyed the contents in a controlled detonation.
Coalition forces target car-bombers, assassins, kidnappers; one killed, 16 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 16 suspected terrorists during operations Friday and Saturday to disrupt al-Qaeda operations in the central and northern parts of the country.
Coalition forces conducted operations southwest of Mahmudiyah, while targeting an individual believed to be responsible for facilitating funds for the southern belt terrorist network. The targeted individual is reportedly involved in the supply of vehicles and materials to car-bombing networks based in Baghdad. During the operation, the ground force called for the target building’s occupants to come out, but they did not comply. Then Coalition forces saw four individuals attempting to evade them escaping from the building. Tracking the four individuals, the ground force detained three suspects. The fourth individual, who was armed, was taking cover in a nearby field. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing the terrorist.
In al-Hadid, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader believed to be involved in a suicide attack cell in the region. The targeted suspect reportedly recruits individuals to conduct the attacks and was involved in the attack that killed three Coalition forces members in Baqubah Nov. 18. After approaching the target, Coalition forces secured the target building and detained two suspects.
Three suspected terrorists were detained while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq who are suspected of trying to neutralize the effects of local citizens aiding Iraqi and Coalition forces in the Tarmiyah. The suspects were detained without incident.
Four suspects were detained during two coordinated operations near Mosul, where Coalition forces were targeting members of the city’s terrorist network. One of the targeted individuals is believed to be involved in kidnappings and assassinations, and has ties to senior al-Qaeda members operating in the region. As the ground force entered the area during the first operation, they saw a man run from the target building, attempting to evade capture. As they continued to clear the area, they arrived at a location where they believed the suspect was hiding. He was subsequently detained. In an operation that followed, Coalition forces detained three suspects without incident.
In other operations, Coalition forces detained four suspects while targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader of the northern belt.
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops detained four suspicious men during three raids across the Rashid district of the Iraqi capital Nov. 29.
“Tuskers” with Company B, 4-64th Combined Arms Battalion, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, detained two men who were trying to flee from a raid. One was found to have been previously arrested on a weapons charge.
After questioning, the men were handed over to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.
Later that day, scouts from 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment detained a man believed to be involved in terrorist activities.
That night, “Warriors” of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, attached to the 4th IBCT, arrested a man suspected of murder, auto theft, car bomb construction and improvised explosive device placement.
Both men were taken into custody and held for further questioning.
ANSF-led forces control Chenartu, Kandahar Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Kandahar Auxiliary Units engaged in a day-long battle to seize control of Chenartu, Kandahar Province, Nov 27.
While conducting reconnaissance patrols in the Zampto Valley to facilitate supply movements, the combined force was engaged by insurgents with small-arms fire from a village. The combined force immediately returned accurate small-arm, machine gun and mortar fire, killing Taliban fighters and putting the remaining enemy forces on the defensive.
Shortly after, ANSF-led forces secured the area and set up multiple checkpoints to enhance security and facilitate safe humanitarian supply movement into Kandahar Province.
