Good News From The War On Terror 12/23
Coalition forces target al-Qaeda networks in Diyala, 12 suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 12 suspected terrorists today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in the Diyala River Valley region and northern Iraq.
Coalition forces conducted a series of coordinated operations north of Muqdadiyah targeting alleged associates of the network operating in the northeast Diyala River Valley region. One of the targeted individuals is believed to be involved in terrorist media and propaganda operations and a direct associate of senior leadership in the network.
During one of the operations, the ground force detained five suspected terrorists and found a cache of weapons and explosive materials. Local citizens informed Coalition forces that one of the buildings was believed to be rigged with explosives. Once the target area was secure, the ground force called for supporting aircraft to engage the perceived threat, destroying two buildings and the weapons cache to prevent further use by terrorists. Secondary explosions erupted following the strike, indicating that weapons were inside the building. Nearby, the ground force located and safely destroyed another building reportedly used for terrorist operations.
Northeast of the city, Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals believed to be involved in the terrorist networks operating in the Hamrin Mountains and the Diyala River Valley region. Reports indicate the area is an al-Qaeda operations area used for training and facilitation activities. In addition to the wanted individuals, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.
During other operations near Samarra and Mosul, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists while targeting associates of al-Qaeda networks responsible for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces.
Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader, detain eight suspects
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader and detained seven other suspects during operations to disrupt criminal element networks early today southeast of Baghdad in the Al Kut and As Suwyarah areas.
The targeted individual was reportedly a senior-level Special Groups criminal element leader dedicated to attacking Coalition forces. He allegedly planned explosively formed penetrator, or EFP, attacks on Coalition forces throughout the Wasit Province. The man was reportedly appointed as a Special Groups criminal element leader of a punishment committee and possible death squads. He was also reported to be 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 detained three suspected criminals. The identities of the three suspects are still being determined, as is whether or not one of them may be the targeted individual.
In another operation, a wanted individual located in the As Suwyarah area is suspected of training Special Group criminal element members to perform attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces. He reportedly received specialized training in EFP use, and facilitated the training of numerous criminals in EFP attacks. The man was also allegedly 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 four other suspected criminals without incident.
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces recover large weapons cache
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, recovered a large weapons cache during a raid of a car bomb factory Dec. 21.
Acting on intelligence reports, Iraqi and U.S. Forces conducted a raid on a house being used as a car bomb factory. During the operation, 9,000 pounds of explosives were uncovered in six separate cache sites discovered on the property.
The explosives included 11 50-pound bags of ammonium nitrate, 27 40-gallon drums of explosives, three 20-gallon propane tanks filled with explosive material, 15 SA-7-A surface to air missiles, nine improvised landmines, four 155 mm artillery rounds, three 152 mm projectiles, three 120 mm rounds and one completed car bomb.
