Good News From The War On Terror 1/21

Coalition significantly disrupts al-Qaeda networks: two killed; 18 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 18 suspects Monday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. Intelligence reports led Coalition forces west of Muqdadiyah to an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq meeting location and weapons cache.  The target area was assessed to be associated with the individuals recently killed during an operation Jan. 18 for their involvement in the terrorist network in the northeast Diyala River Valley region.  As the ground force called for the occupants of the target building to come out, two armed terrorists maneuvered toward them.  Perceiving hostile intent from the armed men, Coalition forces engaged, killing the two terrorists.  As the ground force cleared the area, they discovered a weapons cache which they safely destroyed, along with a building assessed to be used for terrorist activity.  The ground force also detained three suspected terrorists during the course of operations. North of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals who are allegedly brothers and associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating north of Baghdad.  The network is reportedly involved in attacks against Coalition forces, beheadings, sniper and improvised explosive device attacks and foreign terrorist facilitation.  One of the suspects is believed to be a leader in the network and involved in enforcing Sharia law. The other suspect is reportedly associated with several senior terrorists in the city, as well as the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for Baghdad.  The ground force detained four suspected terrorists in addition to the targeted suspects. During an operation in Tikrit, Coalition forces captured an alleged weapons facilitator for the terrorist network operating in the city.  The suspect is believed to be a close associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader of the network and associated with the facilitation of foreign fighters in the region.  In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained one suspected terrorist. In Sharqat, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq associate reportedly planning a large-scale operation against Coalition, Iraqi and Awakening forces in the Bayji area. The wanted individual allegedly relocated to Sharqat from Bayji in an attempt to avoid capture by Iraqi and Coalition forces.  Three additional suspected terrorists were detained during the operation. Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists including a wanted individual allegedly involved in the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in the city.  The suspect reportedly served as an assassination officer for a former al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the city who was killed during an operation Dec. 25. Also, during an operation east of Samarra one suspected terrorist was detained while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq members associated with safe houses and meeting locations in the region.

 

Iraqi and U.S. Forces target extremist networks in Baghdad, killing extremist commander

BALAD, Iraq – An extremist brigade commander was killed Jan 21 in the Aamel neighborhood of Baghdad during an Iraqi Special Operations Forces operation to disrupt extremist networks operating in Baghdad. ISOF, with U.S. Special Forces advisers, conducted the operation to detain a reported extremist commander who controlled the violent and criminal activities of ten extremist groups operating within Baghdad. The extremist leader and his criminal operation are implicated in attacks, murder, kidnappings and criminal activity against Iraqi Security Forces and Iraqi civilians. Credible intelligence indicates he and his group are responsible for the sectarian murder of several hundred Iraqi civilians in the past year. The extremist is reported to have established a special extremist group that collects information which is used to target Iraqi Security Forces personnel for attack. Upon entering the building where the extremist was located, a man ran from the assault force into another room. The assault force forced the door to the room open and entered to detain the man. In the course of his capture, the man was killed after he attempted to grab a weapon. The man was later identified as the wanted extremist commander.

 

Phantom Phoenix: More than 10 targets destroyed during ongoing air strikes in Arab Jabour

BAGHDAD – More than 10 targets were hit during an ongoing night air raid against suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq safe havens in Arab Jabour Jan. 20. The joint operation involved precision air strikes by F-18 fighter jets and B-1 bombers, including Air Force, Navy and Marine aircraft. The Air Force and Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division worked in coordination to prevent collateral damage, and to prevent use of any area for attacks on Coalition Forces. The raid follows the Jan. 10 and Jan. 16 air strikes in the same region which hit a combined total of 64 targets with a total weight of more than 80,000 pounds of bombs. The raid supported Operation Phantom Phoenix, the overarching operation that includes Operation Marne Thunderbolt, and is aimed at pursuing and defeating extremist elements throughout the country.

 

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Operations Forces detain 5 terror suspects

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Operations Forces, detained five terror suspects and destroyed a suspected terrorist safe house in separate operations in Iraq Jan. 18 and 19. Near the city of Taji, Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces detained two members of a terrorist cell specializing in suicide bombing attacks during a Jan. 19 raid. The suspects are believed to be responsible for coordinating and providing supplies for several attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. In a separate operation Jan. 18 in the town of Rutbah, an Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics Team, advised by U.S. Special Operations Forces, detained three members of an al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell.  According to intelligence reports, the suspected terrorists are responsible for coordinating attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces as well as the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi citizens. The suspects are also believed to be involved in providing weapons and funding for terrorist attacks. In another Jan. 18 operation, Iraqi and Coalition Forces destroyed two empty structures used by terrorists in Diyala province. One of the buildings was believed to be a terrorist safe house and the other was a small storage facility.  They were destroyed after it was discovered that the structures had been rigged with explosives.