Good News From The War On Terror 1/13
Coalition forces targets foreign terrorists, propaganda and IED cells; 13 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 13 suspected terrorists Saturday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation north of Taji Saturday, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist believed to be associated with a senior level al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitator. Reports indicate the suspect was heavily involved in the terrorist network operating that is responsible for the flow of foreign terrorists and the facilitation of money and weapons into Iraq. Additionally, the suspect is alleged to have close ties to the car-bombing network operating in the Karkh area of Baghdad.
The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained, along with seven suspected terrorists. During a separate operation nearby, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting an additional associate of the network.
Also Saturday, two suspected terrorists were detained in Baghdad during a Coalition forces operation targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq senior member of the terrorist media and propaganda network in the city.
In Mosul today, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting a suspected terrorist who is reportedly in charge of an improvised explosive device cell operating in the Risalah neighborhood. During the operation, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.
Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces uncover weapons cache
BALAD, Iraq – A Ninewah Special Weapons and Tactics Team, advised by U.S. Special Forces uncovered a weapons cache during a Jan. 12 operation in Mosul.
Included in the items found were 22 AK-47 magazines, 15 sticks of PE-4 explosive, two bags of explosive propellant, nine electric blasting caps, nine 60 mm mortars, a mortar bipod, seven RPG boosters, four RPG-7 rockets, two hand grenades, a bag of propellant pellets and an AK-47 assault vest.
CLCs, ‘Strike’ troops locate caches, mortar rounds
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 3rd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, discovered a large cache while on patrol in the Mansour district of Baghdad Jan. 11 in support of Operation Phantom Phoenix.
The troops discovered approximately 1,860 items in the cache. Contents of the cache included such items as 1,000 blasting caps, 100 feet of detonation cord, machine guns, an assortment of 70 mortars, 316 hand grenades of various types, preassembled improvised explosive devices and unknown bulk explosives totaling 850 pounds.
In a separate incident Jan. 11, Concerned Local Citizens located six 107 mm mortar rounds in Ghazaliyah. Once they located these rounds, they immediately contacted troops from the 1st Battalion, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) to come in and assess the situation.
An explosive ordnance detachment was able to successfully recover and destroy the contents of the cache and the mortar find. No injuries or damages came from either incident. The incidents are still under investigation.
ANP take ownership of security in Oruzgan
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – The Afghan National Police have increased security efforts in Oruzgan Province to decrease the number of insurgent support areas recently.
Afghan National Security Forces, assisted by Coalition forces, have driven out insurgents during multiple operations during the last few weeks.
The ANP established checkpoints and conducted security patrols to ensure the safety of Sha Mashad, Sakhar, Pasaw, Dosang, Doanne and Yakhdan villagers in the Shaidi Hasas District.
Many families have returned to villages recently suspected of containing insurgent activity.
The ANP patrols through the area have accomplished more than simply removing insurgents. The patrols have also given villagers a true sense of security and increased confidence in the Afghan government.
ANSF uncover caches, detain three in Nangarhar
JALALABAD AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Afghan National Police and Afghan National Army Soldiers detained three individuals after discovering two caches of munitions containing explosives, and other potential IED material in their residences late in the night Jan.10 in the Khogyani District of Nangarhar Province.
Acting on credible intelligence, the combined Afghan National Security Force element launched a patrol into the suspected area to investigate. Upon arrival, a search was conducted of two compounds resulting in the discovery of two separate caches. The caches included rocket propelled grenades, rockets components, artillery propellant, explosives, and other material that could be used in the construction of IEDs.
The suspects were taken into custody for questioning and are being held by the ANA awaiting transfer to ANP at this time.
