Good News From The War On Terror 12/12
Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda operations; 14 terrorists killed, 12 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 14 terrorists and detained 12 suspects during operations Tuesday and Wednesday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq.
During an operation northwest of Muqdadiyah, Coalition forces targeted associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader allegedly responsible for a large terrorist group operating in the northeast Diyala River Valley region. Intelligence reports indicate the individuals executed a man earlier in the day and were later observed in the target area.
Upon arrival, Coalition forces received enemy fire from the target building. Responding in self-defense, the ground force returned fire, killing two terrorists. Coalition forces then observed several men maneuver away from the target area into nearby palm groves and underneath a foot bridge. The ground force called supporting aircraft to engage the enemy threat, killing another 12 terrorists. The ground force also encountered multiple explosions as they attempted to clear the target buildings. The buildings were assessed to be rigged with explosives and a supporting aircraft was called to destroy them.
Coalition forces captured a wanted individual in Baghdad believed to be involved in the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in the city. The wanted individual is allegedly involved in al-Qaeda in Iraq media and propaganda operations, and is a close associate of suspects recently detained by Coalition forces Dec. 9 and 10.
During the operation, another individual was wounded as the ground force entered a building. The man was subsequently detained, treated on site and transported to a military medical facility. Two additional suspects were detained and the ground force discovered various media equipment and a small weapons cache during the course of operations.
In Tikrit, Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists to include a wanted individual believed to be involved in facilitating funds for al-Qaeda operations. Reports indicate the wanted individual not only operates in Tikrit, but also in western Baghdad, and in and around Fallujah. The suspect is also allegedly associated with foreign terrorist facilitation networks and al-Qaeda leaders operating in the Tigris River Valley.
Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and three additional suspected terrorists during two operations south of Yusufiyah Tuesday and Wednesday targeting associates of the terrorist network operating in southern Baghdad. The wanted individual is reportedly a leader involved in the Karkh terrorist network, which is operating in a degraded state. Over the last month, Coalition forces have captured five other wanted individuals tied to the network, who were reportedly involved in attacks against Coalition forces and trying to re-establish the car-bombing operations in the city. During the operation, the ground force also discovered a cache of weapons, which was safely destroyed on site.
Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq leader
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell leader who is believed to command more than 300 terrorists during a raid near Karmah Dec. 11.
The suspected terrorist leader is reported to be responsible for numerous IED and mortar attacks that have killed and wounded several Iraqi and Coalition Forces. The suspect is also believed to be responsible for the kidnapping and killing of three Iraqi National Guard Soldiers.
Coalition Forces kill AQI operative
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – A member of al-Qaeda in Iraq was killed by Coalition Forces Dec. 10 during a firefight near Adwaniyah, Iraq.
Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, currently attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf. Div. from Fort Stewart, Ga., were conducting a foot patrol when an attack occurred. A Soldier was wounded when he stepped on a command wire improvised explosive device consisting of two 60 mm mortars. The Soldiers were then engaged with small arms fire.
While engaged in the firefight a Soldier spotted the IED emplacer leaving the scene in a white pickup truck.
Kiowa helicopters from the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Inf. Div. were called in and engaged the truck with one Hellfire missile.
After engaging the enemy truck, the Kiowa helicopter team confirmed the truck was destroyed and the driver was killed.
Iraqi Army Soldiers clear caches, detain extremists
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, detained 15 suspected extremists in two separate incidents in Hawr Rajab, Iraq, Dec. 9.
During the first incident, Soldiers investigating an improvised explosive device were attacked by small-arms fire. The extremists broke contact and were pursued by the Soldiers. While in pursuit, the IA discovered a second IED consisting of a 122 mm mortar with a cell phone initiator.
The IA detained four local residents they believed were involved in the shooting.
Both IEDs were cleared by the IA and the suspects were taken in for questioning at Forward Operating Base Falcon.
Eleven other suspects were detained by another group of Soldiers with the 5/4/6 IA. The Soldiers, who were conducting a patrol with U.S. Soldiers of the 645th Military Transition Team, detained the residents after discovering a cache consisting of two sniper rifles and a scope.
The detainees were taken in for questioning at FOB Kalsu.
