Good News From The War On Terror 12/4
MOSUL, Iraq – For the first time in 14 years, a commercial airlines flight departed the Mosul Airport Dec. 2, carrying Muslim religious pilgrims on their annual trek to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The Mosul Airport, built in 1992, had not seen commercial airline traffic since U.S. military forces declared the city a no-fly zone in 1993. After recent cooperation between by Iraqi and U.S. government agencies, and employing local workers, the airport was rebuilt with the intent to continue commercial air service to Saudi Arabia and other locations.
Around 10:30 Sunday night, 152 Hajj pilgrims departed on Iraqi Airways Flight 020, bound for Baghdad, where they were to board another flight for Saudi Arabia.
“The Iraqi Airlines staff here performed wonderfully, overcoming operational obstacles in stride,” said R.C. Shackelford, provincial program manager in Ninewa. “The process will only get better with each experience.”
“This is a significant step for the revitalization of the economy, not just (for) Mosul, but all of northern Iraq,” said Jason Hyland, team leader for the Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team. “December 2 was a great day for the Iraqi people.”
In partnership with Ninewa’s Provincial Council and Governor Kashmoula, the U.S. Department of State contributed $3.2 million to help renovate the passenger terminal. Other funding came from the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Finance.
UPDATE: Coalition forces positively identify terrorist killed in recent raid
BAGHDAD, Iraq – An al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist killed during a recent Coalition forces operation has been positively identified as Abu Maysara.
Maysara, also known as Abu Basha’ir, was a Syrian who spoke an Iraqi dialect. He was a member of Abu Ayyub al-Masri’s inner circle and served as a senior advisor. Maysara was specifically responsible for providing extremist spiritual guidance and rebuttal on terrorist matters, perverting Islamic faith to allow terrorism, murder and torture. He was also known to provide logistical support to al-Qaeda operations and was a key leader in the al-Qaeda in Iraq media network.
Maysara was killed during an operation northeast of Samarra Nov. 17. During the operation, Coalition forces were targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq media networks, specifically, a building which was reportedly used as a propaganda house.
As the ground force approached the target building, they received heavy fire from inside. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged the armed men, killing six terrorists, including Maysara. The ground forces then secured the area, finding a weapons cache, improvised explosive device components and propaganda material.
In March, Maysara and a group of foreign terrorists escaped from the Badush Prison. It is believed he was one of the lead planners of the escape.
Maysara fought against the Government of Iraq in Fallujah in 2004 and was reportedly one of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s senior advisors. On Nov. 29, 2004, Maysara was captured by Coalition forces in Fallujah, using the name Muhammad Wasim Abdullah Halabi, also known as Abu Assim. He had in his possession a forged Ministry of the Interior identification card with the name Ahmad Ibrahim Karim, also known as Abu Ibrahim.Abu Maysara was positively identified using DNA evidence.
Coalition forces target foreign terrorist facilitators, media cells; two killed, 25 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 25 suspects during operations Tuesday to disrupt al-Qaeda operations in central and northern Iraq.
South of Baqubah, Coalition forces killed a wanted terrorist believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq media cell leader who replaced the previous Diyala leader after his death during a Coalition forces operation Nov. 11. Coalition forces approached the target area and secured two buildings. As they moved to secure an adjacent building, two men were seen maneuvering into the palm groves nearby. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing both terrorists. One of the terrorists killed was later identified as the wanted individual. During the operation, the ground force discovered a large amount of al-Qaeda in Iraq propaganda materials. Coalition forces detained three suspects during the operation.
In other operations targeting al-Qaeda’s media cells, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual in Baghdad reportedly involved in numerous aspects of media and propaganda operations for al-Qaeda in Iraq. The wanted individual is also believed to be an associate of senior terrorist leaders in the region and a facilitator of terrorist operations. Coalition forces detained one other suspect during the operation without incident.
Coalition forces targeted foreign terrorist facilitators during three operations in various cities. East of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a foreign terrorist facilitator. Reports indicate he also is involved with media and propaganda operations along the Tigris River Valley. Coalition forces detained three other suspects without incident. Also targeting foreign terrorist facilitators, Coalition forces detained six suspects north of Samarra. Then, in Haditha, Coalition forces detained four suspects while targeting foreign terrorist facilitators and associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the region. During the operation, Coalition forces discovered a large amount of American money.Later, targeting kidnappers and those responsible for attacking Iraqis, Coalition forces targeted an associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq member involved in kidnappings and assassinations with ties to senior terrorist members operating in Mosul. Four suspected terrorists were detained on site without incident.
During operations west of Kirkuk, Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader for the city. Reports indicate the targeted individual was an associate of Abu Nahr, former car-bombing cell leader and terrorist facilitator Abu Harith, both of whom were killed during Coalition forces operations north of Hawija Nov. 21. During the operation, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists, one of whom was hiding from Coalition forces.
Coalition forces detain two suspected criminal element members
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained two suspected criminals during operations early Saturday in the Khan Bani Said area, north of Baghdad.
The targeted individual was reportedly a significant explosively formed penetrator facilitator and trainer within Special Group criminal elements in the Khan Bani Said area and Baghdad. The suspected criminal 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 two suspected criminals were detained without incident. The identities of the two suspects, and whether or not one of them may be the targeted individual, are still being determined.
Four suspected militants detained in Oruzgan
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition Forces detained four suspected militants during an operation Monday in Oruzgan Province to disrupt extremist networks in the area.
Coalition Forces conducted a search of compounds in the Deh Rawod district targeting Taliban insurgents reported to be conducting insurgent operations. Intelligence reports also indicated Taliban insurgents were actively engaged in facilitating foreign-fighter networks.
During the course of operations, Coalition Forces detained four individuals suspected of having links to Taliban extremists. The detained individuals will be questioned as to their involvement in insurgent operations as well as other extremist activities.
Coalition Forces also recovered several weapons and explosives which were destroyed in place to prevent their use by extremist forces.
