Good News From The War On Terror 12/6-7
Al-Qaeda networks disrupted; three terrorists killed, 19 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 19 suspects during operations Thursday to disrupt al-Qaeda operations along the Tigris River Valley.
Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during an operation northwest of al-Khalis while targeting alleged associates of the terrorist network north of Baghdad. The wanted individual is believed to be involved in the network’s car-bombing operations, to include procuring and delivering vehicles for attacks. As the ground force arrived at the area, an armed man emerged, maneuvering west of the target building. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing the armed man. The ground force detained five suspects on site in addition to the targeted individual.
South of Yusufiyah, Coalition forces captured another wanted individual believed to be associated with the terrorist network in southern Baghdad and suspected of planning a potential attack on Coalition forces operating in the area. The suspect also reportedly has ties to foreign terrorists and senior al-Qaeda leaders operating in the Arab Jabour and southern Baghdad area. The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained along with another suspect.
North of Mosul, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader operating in Hawijah involved in weapons and financial facilitation. The individual reportedly commands numerous terrorists, whom he uses to conduct assassinations targeting Iraqi security forces. As Coalition forces entered the target building, a man armed with a knife lunged at their position. Responding in self-defense, they engaged, killing the man. Also in the building, the ground force discovered a man wrapped in a blanket with wires protruding out of it. Perceiving hostile intent, they engaged, killing him. Additionally, six suspected terrorists were detained on site without incident.
In another operation, five suspected terrorists were detained north of Bayji while Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq member associated with weapons and foreign terrorist facilitation.
Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces kill 2 insurgents, detain 12
KIRKUK, Iraq – Soldiers of the 4th Iraqi Army Division and 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Iron, conducted a joint operation near Kirkuk, Iraq, Nov. 21.
Operation Ghost Round-Up Reaper was intended to disrupt terrorist activities in the Tuz Province, and increased the presence of IA and Coalition Forces in the area.
By the end of the operation, the joint forces detained 12 suspected terrorists.
Coalition forces detain two suspects, disrupt criminal network (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained two suspected criminals during operations early Wednesday in the Al Kut area, southeast of Baghdad.
The operations targeted an individual who reportedly received specialized weapons and tactical training, including sniper rifle and rocket-propelled grenade employment, the construction of improvised explosive devices, and operational security. He was also suspected of being involved in training Special Group criminal element members on weapons and operational tactics. The individual is reportedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces.
While in the target area, ground forces came under assault by small arms fire. During the operation, two suspects were detained.
Coalition forces capture Special Groups weapons trainer; two killed, five detained (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups criminal element leader, killed two armed men in self-defense, wounded two others and detained five suspects during operations early Thursday in the Al Hayy area, southeast of Baghdad.
The targeted individual reportedly received special weapons training in order to train Special Group criminal element members for insurgent operations. His skills consist of improvised explosive device operation, sniper fire, rocket propelled grenades, operational security, mortars and insurgency combat tactics. He is also believed to be an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces.
During the operation, ground forces came under assault by small-arms fire. Assault forces engaged the armed men in self-defense, killing two and wounding two others. Additionally, the targeted individual was captured and four other suspects were detained.
Iraqi Security Forces kill one terrorist, detain 55 suspects in operations against al-Qaeda
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained 55 suspects and killed one al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist in two separate operations Dec. 6.
Iraqi Special Operations Forces and U.S. Special Forces conducted a raid near Balad to capture a known AQI terror cell leader who is reported to have conducted indirect fire attacks against Logistic Support Area Anaconda. The cell is also suspected to have been involved in improvised explosive device and other attacks against Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians in the area. Reporting indicates this cell was directly responsible for emplacing an IED that killed three U.S. Air Force Airmen near LSA Anaconda in November 2007.
During the operation, the AQI leader was killed and eight suspected terrorists were captured. Found during the operation and destroyed on site were 82mm mortar rounds, several assault rifles and loaded magazines, hand grenades and body armor.
In a separate operation, Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained 47 suspects for questioning during a cordon and search of Al Aswad village.
Iraqi Forces conducted the operation to disrupt AQI cells, safe houses and weapons storage areas in the vicinity. All detainees were placed in the custody of Khalis Iraqi Police. Two improvised explosive devices were discovered and destroyed on site.
Coalition forces capture terrorists involved in Baghdad car-bombing operations
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals and seven additional suspects during an operation in Baghdad Friday to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in the capital city.
The wanted individuals are reportedly leaders in the al-Qaeda network operating in the Karkh area and are believed to have been involved in the planning of a future car-bombing attack in the city. The two wanted individuals are allegedly close associates to several other senior leaders involved in the network’s car-bombing operations. In addition to the wanted individuals, the ground force detained seven suspects on site without incident.
Recent successful Coalition forces operations have left the Karkh terrorist network in a severely degraded state. Over the last month, Coalition forces have captured four other wanted individuals tied to the Karkh network, who were reportedly involved in attacks against Coalition forces and trying to re-establish the city's car-bombing operations.
1-15 Inf. Regt. finds cache with Iranian RPG
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, seized a cache that included an Iranian-made rocket propelled grenade southeast of Baghdad, Dec. 5.
A local citizen provided the information that resulted in the seizure.
Soldiers collected one 122mm mortar round, one propellant stick, 100 feet of dual strand electrical chord, and one bag of ball bearings, as well as the Iranian-made rocket propelled grenade.
Explosive ordnance disposal Soldiers from the 789th Ordnance Company, assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, confirmed the rocket propelled grenade was manufactured in Iran in 2006.
The 3-1st Cav. Regt. and 1-15th Inf. Regt. are both assigned to the 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. from Fort Benning, Ga., and have been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.
An Iranian-made rocket propelled grenade seized by Soldiers of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment southeast of Baghdad, Dec. 5.
ANSF push Taliban out of northern Helmand
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition soldiers pushed back Taliban insurgents from Now Zad, Helmand Province, Dec. 5.
The combined force was conducting a reconnaissance patrol in Now Zad when Taliban insurgents attempted to ambush the patrol from established fighting positions. The enemy fired on the ANSF using small arms, rocket and mortar fire. The ANSF immediately returned small-arms and machine-gun fire, putting the enemy on the defensive.
The enemy moved to secondary positions in an attempt to flank friendly forces, as the battle escalated. ANSF identified the new enemy fighting positions and engaged with small arms, machine gun fire and precision air strikes.
The insurgents attempted to hide among the civilian population by moving into their homes.
The Afghan civilians prevented them from using the compounds and its inhabitants as human shields. Tthe enemy executed a disorderly retreat and the ANSF continued to clear the village to ensure no insurgents remained.
Coalition precision strike kills several militants
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Several militants were killed during a Coalition forces operation Friday in Helmand Province targeting Taliban support networks.
Coalition forces conducted a precision-guided munitions strike targeting a Taliban commander responsible for planning and conducting attacks against Afghan and Coalition forces in several districts including Musa Qaleh. Reports also indicate the individual is associated with weapons facilitation and narcotics smuggling.
Coalition Forces targeted a building on a compound in the Musa Qaleh district containing several militants, including the Taliban commander, during the course of operations. Coalition Forces employed a precision-guided munition, destroying the building and killing the militants.
Multiple secondary explosions were also reported, indicating the presence of a sizeable weapons cache.
ANSF foil Taliban ambush in Farah
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition soldiers foiled a Taliban ambush in Kariz-e Sadeqin, Farah Province, Dec. 5.
The combined force was conducting a reconnaissance mission for a weapons cache when two squad-size elements of insurgents ambushed them with small-arms, rocket and indirect fire. ANSF returned small-arms and mortar fire, which allowed them to out-maneuver the insurgent forces and engage them with close air support.
The combined forces overwhelmed the insurgents with superior firepower, despite the arrival of enemy reinforcements.
Dec. 5 airpower summary: F-16s watch over coalition troops
