Good News From The War On Terror 12/21

Coalition forces capture two Special Groups leaders, detain three other suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured two suspected Special Groups leaders and detained three other suspects during operations to disrupt criminal element networks early this morning in the Al Mashru area, south of Baghdad and the Kadhimiyah area, west of Baghdad. The targeted individual reportedly trained criminal splinter group elements to perform attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces. He allegedly facilitated the training of numerous criminals in the use of explosively formed penetrators and improvised explosive devices. The targeted individual was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the wanted individual and detained one other suspected criminal without incident. In another operation, Coalition forces targeted a separate individual located in the Kadhimiyah area, who was a suspected Special Groups criminal element senior leader. He was allegedly responsible for facilitating the supply of explosives for use in explosively formed penetrator attacks. The wanted individual reportedly controlled a group of criminal element cells operating in Baghdad. He was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the wanted individual and detained the two other suspected criminals without incident.

 

Al-Qaeda networks disrupted; one terrorist killed, 19 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 19 suspected terrorists during operations Wednesday and today targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. During coordinated operations in Baghdad Wednesday and today, two wanted individuals were detained for their involvement in the al-Qaeda in Iraq media and propaganda network. The individuals are also reportedly associates of a suspected terrorist, who was detained by Coalition forces Dec. 9 for his role in the same network. The ground force discovered caches of media and propaganda materials during both operations. In addition to the wanted individuals, the ground force detained four suspected terrorists Wednesday. During an operation in Tarmiyah today, Coalition forces detained a wanted individual believed to be closely associated with an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the network operating north of Baghdad. The wanted individual is reportedly responsible for facilitating the flow of information to senior terrorists in the network, which is responsible for car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks, as well as extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained one suspected terrorist on site. Coalition forces conducted an operation in Kirkuk today targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader for the network operating in the city. The targeted individual is reportedly involved in the planning and execution of terrorist operations in the province. Reports also indicate he is associated with Abu Harith, the former leader of the Kirkuk terrorist network who was killed during a Coalition forces operation Nov. 21. During the operation, an armed man emerged from the target building and displayed hostile behavior. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing him. The engagement resulted in an explosion, indicating the individual may have also been armed with explosive material. One suspected terrorist was also detained on site. In Mosul, Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists today while targeting an individual believed to be involved in an illegal terrorist court system and responsible for facilitating the storage and maintenance of weapons caches in the area. During an operation south of Hawijah Wednesday, Coalition forces detained three suspects while targeting associates of the terrorist network in Kirkuk.

 

Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader, disrupt criminal element network

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader during operations to disrupt criminal element networks early Monday in the Baghdad area. The targeted individual reportedly trained criminal elements to perform attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces. He allegedly facilitated the training of criminals in activities including explosively formed penetrators, improvised explosive devices, operational security and computer security training. The individual was also reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces. Intelligence led ground forces to the target area, where they captured the targeted individual without incident.