Good News From The War On Terror 12/29

Coalition forces target criminal networks; detain six suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained six suspected Special Groups criminal element members Saturday during operations to disrupt terrorist networks in southern Iraq. During an operation in the Ad Daghgharah area, Coalition forces targeted a suspected Special Groups leader and projectile weapons trainer who allegedly specialized in rocket propelled grenade (RPG) and mortar attacks against Coalition forces. The wanted 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 detained six suspected criminals without incident. The identities of the six suspects are still being determined.

 

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations; three killed, 34 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 34 suspects Saturday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq. During an operation north of Tikrit, Coalition forces targeted an associate of the al-Qaeda network operating in the Kirkuk province.  The targeted individual is assessed to be involved in the facilitation of finances and materials for terrorist operations.  When Coalition forces arrived in the target area, they called for the occupants to come out of the building. The ground force was then engaged by heavy enemy fire, and supporting aircraft was called to suppress the threat. Once the enemy fire ceased, the ground force assessed three terrorists were killed during the engagement.  As the ground force cleared the area, they found a suicide belt, suicide vest and numerous weapons on site.  All of the items were safely destroyed, along with a target building, to prevent further use by terrorists. North of Tikrit, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a member of the al-Qaeda network operating in the area. The wanted individual is also allegedly associated with the terrorist network in Samarra, including foreign terrorist facilitation operations throughout the Tigris River Valley.  Reports indicate the individual also has ties to individuals targeted during an operation Nov. 12, when Coalition forces killed Abu Tiba, the leader of the terrorist network in Samarra.  In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists during the operation.  The ground force detained an additional suspect during an operation south of the city targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader believed to be involved in suicide attacks against Coalition forces. During an operation west of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a close associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader of the network operating north of Baghdad. The network is responsible for the majority of car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks in the area, as well as being involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained 21 suspected terrorists during the series of operations.  Coalition forces also destroyed one building in the target area that was assessed to be used as a safe house for terrorist operations. Coalition forces also detained five suspected terrorists during an operation in Mosul while targeting an associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the city.  In the past few weeks, Coalition forces have detained three wanted individuals and more than 26 suspected terrorists associated with the network in Mosul, to include a suspect detained Dec. 13 believed to be a key associate of the al-Qaeda leader for northern Iraq.

 

Iraqi Police, MND-Center Soldiers detain 4 suspected extremists (Iskandariyah)

ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq – Iraqi Police partnered with Coalition Forces in an air assault mission near Iskandariyah Dec. 20 to capture four suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives and disrupt AQI operations in the region. The force included Iraqi Police from Iskandariyah and Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, out of Fort Campbell, Ky., attached to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The mission was carried out during daylight hours and consisted of two elements that flew in on four UH-60 helicopters. One element cleared and secured the area where the suspected al-Qaeda operators inhabited safehouses, with another supporting that effort, searching for weapons caches and employing an explosive ordnance disposal team to remove obstacles so the first element could move freely. “Because of the ever-increasing cooperation between Coalition Forces and the Iraqi Police, AQI has no place to hide in western Iskandariyah,” said Capt. Michael Penney, commander of Co. A, 2-502nd. Four al-Qaeda suspects were detained during the operation, and a pressureplate improvised explosive device was discovered. Neither Iraqi Police nor Coalition Forces had patrolled the area for at least eight months, according to Lt. Col. Michael Getchell, commander of 2-502nd Infantry, who added the expanded influence exerted by the Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces sent a positive message to the local citizens. He added that the combined presence helped bring forth interest in the Concerned Local Citizens program.