Good News From The War On Terror 1/19-20

Iraqi Security Forces detain ten in separate operations

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained an improvised explosive device cell leader and six other suspects in Mosul Jan. 15. The suspects are believed to be responsible for numerous improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in Mosul. In a separate operation, an Iraqi Emergency Response Unit with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained three members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell during a Jan. 16 raid in Baghdad. The suspected terrorists are believed to be responsible for purchasing weapons and improvised explosive device materials for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

 

MND-B Soldiers find cache, arrest suspected extremist

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers found a cache and arrested a suspected extremist during ongoing security operations in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Jan. 16. Just after 4 p.m. local time, “Warriors” of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, attached to Task Force Dragon, found a munitions cache in the Doura neighborhood. Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel destroyed an 80 mm white phosphorus mortar round, a 57 mm rocket, 150 pounds of homemade explosives, 43 improvised hand grenades, and a 57 mm homemade rocket launcher attached to two cell phones and a 60 mm mortar at a Coalition Forces base. Additionally, numerous tips led “Raiders” of Bandit Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., to an alleged extremist believed to be involved in various murders, intimidation of locals and placing an improvised explosive device.

 

MND-B Forces seize enemy rockets

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers, acting on a tip from a local national, seized a cache of rockets during a combat patrol in the western Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Jan. 10 “Black Lions,” of Company B, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., raided a house and found 10 107mm rockets. The northwestern part of the district has historically been the origin of indirect fire on the International Zone and other Coalition Forces bases in the southern part of the city. The rockets were taken to a Coalition Forces base for disposal. Soldiers of 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, attached to TF Dragon, detained two suspected insurgents in Rashid Jan. 10. One of the suspected insurgents is believed to be a known extremist in Hadar.

 

Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda networks across Iraq, 16 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 16 suspected terrorists Friday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. In Salman Pak this morning, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member involved in attacks against Concerned Local Citizens groups in the region. Reports indicate the suspect is a close associate of the cell leader for the terrorist network in the city, which is involved in attacks against Coalition forces, beheadings, sniper and improvised explosive device attacks, and foreign terrorist facilitation. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained one suspected terrorist. During an operation in Baqubah today, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists, to include a wanted individual allegedly involved in the planning of an improvised explosive device attack in Sadr City. Reports indicate the suspect is associated with a terrorist responsible for car bomb attacks in Baghdad, who has ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the capital city.  North of Samarra this morning, Coalition forces captured an alleged terrorist senior leader tied to the al-Qaeda networks operating in Tikrit, Bayji and Mosul. Reports indicate the wanted individual is connected to terrorist leaders throughout the Tigris River Valley. Three additional suspects were also detained during the operation. During two coordinated operations in Mosul today, four suspected terrorists were detained while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders involved in the area’s terrorist network and associated with Haydar al-Afri, a terrorist leader for the western region of Mosul, who was killed Dec. 25 for his involvement in attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. Northeast of Taji Friday, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating north of Baghdad. The network is reportedly responsible for improvised explosive device attacks, extortion, intimidation and weapons trafficking. Reports indicate the suspect is responsible for foreign terrorist facilitation, to include arranging travel for the individual detained by Coalition forces Jan. 14 for his role in attacking Iraqi citizens for not following Sharia law. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.

 

Tips lead to detention of 10 AQI during Operation Phantom Phoenix

TIKRIT, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 10 suspected al Qaeda in Iraq operatives during a raid in an Al Ali village, in the northern Diyala River Valley area, known as the bread basket, Jan. 17. The successful raid was part of Operation Raider Harvest, which is part of Operation Phantom Phoenix – a countrywide operation to eliminate AQI and other extremists in Iraq. Working off tips from local Iraqis, Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment detained the suspects at seven different locations in the village. One of the detainees is a suspected AQI company commander, four are suspected AQI fighters, two are suspected improvised-explosive-device emplacers  and three are suspected AQI informants. Since Jan. 8, with the start of the clearing phase of Raider Harvest, CF and ISF have detained 70 suspected AQI in the AO, killed four and wounded four more.  In addition, 25 IEDs have been found and cleared, along with eight vehicle-borne IEDs, six house-borne IEDs and 30 weapon caches. At the same time as the ongoing mission of clearing AQI from the bread basket, CF, ISF and Concerned Local Citizens are also conducting humanitarian aid drops, providing medical aid, delivering fuel, establishing security checkpoints and building Joint Combat outposts.  Operation Raider Harvest is not only designed to clear AQI from the bread basket , a former AQI stronghold and safe haven, but also ensure that they are unable to return.

 

Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq; one killed, 19 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 19 suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq. Near Mahmudiyah, Coalition forces targeted an alleged associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating south of Baghdad. Reports indicate the suspect is a replacement for a former leader who was detained by Coalition forces Dec. 10 for his role in terrorist attacks in the region.  As Coalition forces arrived in the area, they observed several individuals maneuver from the target buildings and supporting aircraft was called to engage the enemy force, killing one terrorist. Two suspected terrorists were also detained during the operation without incident. During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Karkh. The suspect is allegedly an experienced improvised explosive device and car bomb facilitator involved in terrorist attacks throughout Baghdad. Reports indicate the individual is involved in foreign terrorist facilitation, to include receiving money for facilitators from outside of Iraq. The suspect is also allegedly associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader for all networks operating in Baghdad. Also in the capital city, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of a senior level al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitator. The suspect is believed to have strong ties to numerous terrorist leaders in Baghdad and foreign terrorists operating in and outside of Iraq. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.During coordinated operations near Samarra, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists including an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member involved in terrorist media and propaganda operations. Reports indicate the suspect is tied to al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership from Samarra to Mosul, including the suspect detained Dec. 27 for his role in media operations and foreign terrorist facilitation. Coalition forces conducted a multi-day operation Jan. 17 to 19 north of Jalula, targeting associates of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network pushed from the northeast Diyala River Valley into the Hamrin mountain area. During the operation, the ground force detained 11 suspected terrorists and found a cache of weapons which was safely destroyed on site.

 

Afghan, Coalition forces detain four insurgents, insurgent leader

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Afghan and Coalition forces conducted an operation Friday to degrade Taliban operations in Zabul Province detaining four insurgents and an insurgent leader. The combined forces conducted a search in the Qalat District of Zabul Province targeting Taliban insurgents conducting anti-coalition operations in the area. Reportedly, the militants have also collected money forcibly from the local residents to purchase weapons and supplies. The combined force found and detained five insurgents with suspected ties to the Taliban during the course of operations. One of the detainees identified himself as a Zabul-area Taliban commander. The detainees will be questioned regarding their involvement in Taliban operations as well as other extremist activities.

 

ANSF, Coalition forces recover weapons caches in Nangarhar

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Recently, Afghans provided information leading to the recovery of a suspected insurgent weapons cache in Zawa Village of Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, near the Pakistan Border. The cache, recovered Jan. 16, consisted of 93 recoilless-rifle rounds. Insurgents frequently use these weapons to attack Afghan National Security Forces or Coalition forces, or terrorize Afghan citizens throughout the province.According to a Coalition soldier, the weapons found were in good condition. Afghan citizens reported weapons-cache locations and insurgent activity throughout Nangarhar Province. Villagers’ information led to the recovery of a suspected insurgent weapons cache, consisting of 93 recoilless-rifle rounds, in Zawa Village of Khogyani District bordering Pakistan, Jan. 16.