Good News From The War On Terror 12/2-3
Troops arrest 3 alleged terrorists, find roadside bombs
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops arrested a suspected terrorist bomb-maker and two financiers and found two improvised explosive devices in the Iraqi capital’s Rashid district Nov. 30.
Scouts from Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment “Raiders,” 4th “Dragon” Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, received a tip from an area resident that a maker of roadside bombs was operating out of a house in Doura neighborhood. The unit arrested the suspect without incident. The suspect is being held for questioning.
Later in the day, Soldiers from “Destroyer” Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment “Warriors,” detained a pair of suspected financiers involved with al-Qaeda in a north Doura neighborhood. Both suspects are being held for questioning.
Soldiers with Apache and Bandit Companies, 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment “Tuskers,” uncovered two roadside bombs, including a buried IED in East and West Rashid. The bombs, consisting of homemade explosives, wiring and other materials were destroyed in place by explosive ordnance disposal teams.
Iron Reaper continues pursuit of al-Qaeda
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Task Force Iron – the multinational division responsible for operations north of Baghdad – launched another operation involving four U.S. brigade combat teams and three different Iraqi Army divisions across the northern provinces of Iraq, Nov 27.
The purpose of Operation Iron Reaper is to continue the pursuit of al-Qaeda and set the conditions for continued reconciliation efforts in key northern provinces.
Task Force Iron’s previous division-level operation, Operation Iron Hammer, began the process of improving security in the north and set in motion reconciliation efforts. The reconciliation paved the way for the signing of 6,000 Concerned Local Citizens.
Iron Reaper should create similar results for the security of residents in northern Iraq.
Within the first three days of the operation, often working off of tips from local citizens across northern Iraq, Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces discovered and destroyed several weapons caches. These caches included more than 850 mortars of various sizes with several tubes for launching.
In addition to mortars, the caches contained more than 70 various rockets. The rockets are used to attack CF and ISF convoys or the explosives inside could be used in making improvised explosive devices. The caches contained several other explosive materials for making IEDs including more than 15 blocks of C4, 30 TNT sticks, 50 pounds of homemade explosives and a 200-pound AH-3 Chinese practice bomb along with wire, timing devices and IED-making instruction manuals. The caches also included about a dozen explosively formed projectiles, which are used in IEDs to pierce armored vehicles.
Coalition forces disrupt terrorist operations; seven detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained seven suspects during operations Monday to disrupt al-Qaeda operations in Tarmiyah.
During one operation, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be an associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader involved in the northern belt terrorist network. Reports indicate the wanted individual was a facilitator for terrorist operations. Coalition forces approached the target building and called for the occupants to come out. The ground force detained five suspected terrorists, including the wanted individual who identified himself to Coalition forces. Upon securing the area, they found a machine gun and pistol.
In other operations south of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces captured another wanted individual believed to be involved in al-Qaeda in Iraq’s media and propaganda networks. Coalition forces detained one other suspect, in addition to the wanted individual, without incident.
Troops capture suspected terrorists (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops arrested seven individuals believed to have terrorist ties in southern Baghdad, Dec. 1.
The 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and the 4-64th Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, both attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, initially detained the suspects after getting positive identifications from area residents and Iraqi Security Volunteers.
The seven are suspected of murder, working as informants and recruiters for al-Qaeda and emplacing improvised explosive devices.
Coalition precision strike kills several militants in Helmand
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several militants were killed during a Coalition forces operation Sunday in Helmand Province targeting Taliban command-and-control networks in the area.
Coalition forces conducted a precision-guided munitions strike targeting a senior Taliban commander believed to be involved in the March kidnapping of Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo, his interpreter and his driver. Reports indicate the individual is also responsible for a number of mortar attacks on Coalition bases as well as several improvised explosive device attacks.
Coalition forces targeted a vehicle in the Musa Qaleh district containing five adult males during the course of operations, one of whom intelligence reports indicated to be a senior Taliban commander. A supporting aircraft released a precision-guided munition, destroying the vehicle and killing the occupants.
Dec. 1 airpower summary: F-15s engage enemy combatants
