Good News From The War On Terror 1/12
Coalition forces targets al-Qaeda networks in Baghdad, Mosul; 15 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists today and Friday during operations targeting al Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
In Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist reportedly associated with the facilitation of explosive materials, vehicles and suicide bombers for use in terrorist operations throughout the capital city. The individual is believed to be a direct contact of the suspect detained Jan. 10 for his role in the network and his association with foreign terrorist facilitators, and al-Qaeda in Iraq and Ansar al-Sunna leadership.
In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.
Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces detained 12 suspected terrorists today and Friday during coordinated operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq media cells and senior leaders.
Iraqi Soldiers find weapons cache in Saydiyah during Operation Phantom Phoenix
BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Army, working with Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, found a weapons cache during a combat patrol in southwest Baghdad Jan.8 as part of Operation Phantom Phoenix.
Iraqi Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division located a cache consisting of two 82mm mortars, a SVIP rocket, a 155mm rocket, a mortar tube, hunting rifle, 10-feet of wire and 44 mortars of various sizes, during a patrol in Saydiyah.
The munitions were taken to the unit’s headquarters for disposal.
Earlier that day, Concerned Local Citizens in Doura handed over eight 82mm mortar fuses to Soldiers of Company D 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division attached to Task Force Dragon.
Coalition forces find prison facility, weapons caches in Diyala; 15 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists during a multi-day operation Jan. 7 to 10 to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in the Diyala River Valley.
Coalition forces conducted operations in the Sherween Village area targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks associated with media and foreign terrorist facilitation networks. Reports indicate the region has become a safe haven for terrorists due to continued pressure from Coalition and Iraqi forces pushing al-Qaeda networks out of central portions of the country and into the Diyala River Valley. Recent operations in the Diyala River Valley have uncovered a significant amount of weapons caches, as well as execution sites, and torture and detention facilities.
With the help of numerous Iraqi local citizens, Coalition forces discovered four weapons caches, a former al-Qaeda in Iraq prison and torture facility, and an improvised explosive device-making facility during the four-day operation. Local Iraqis confirmed the use of the prison facility by al-Qaeda in Iraq, but said it had not been used recently due to the presence of Coalition forces in the region. In addition, Coalition forces also destroyed four buildings that were found rigged with explosives and a river-crossing point that was being used to facilitate the movement of terrorists.
During the four-day operation, Coalition forces also uncovered and eliminated several IEDs on various roadways.
Fifteen suspected terrorists were detained over the four days for possession of weapons, explosive materials, and confessions to being involved in terrorist operations.
Paratroopers discover rockets thanks to tip (SUQ ASH SHUYUK)
SUQ ASH SHUYUK, Iraq – Paratroopers in Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division discovered and thwarted 21 107mm rockets set to launch toward their command outpost – thanks to a tip from a local shepherd Jan. 6.
The shepherd told the paratroopers he heard and saw a rocket launch.
The element found the rockets set to launch. The paratroopers were ordered to move back and engage the rockets with MK-19 rounds to knock them off their launchers and eliminate the threat to the combat outpost. Air support from an Air Force F-16 followed up, hitting the rocket site with 1,000 20mm rounds and one 500 pound GBU-12.
