Good News From The War On Terror 1/22
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader, a criminal network facilitator and detained two other suspects early this morning during operations in the Qasirin area, north of Baghdad.
The initial targeted individual was reportedly a criminal network facilitator who gathered intelligence against Coalition and Iraqi forces and provided financial support to Special Groups members throughout the Diyala province. He allegedly specialized in electronics and surveillance capabilities to support criminal activity. The wanted individual was also reported to be an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders involved in attacks on Coalition forces.
Intelligence led ground forces to the target location, where they captured the wanted individual and detained one other suspected criminal without incident. Coalition forces also discovered large amounts of American, Iraqi and Iranian currency.
In a separate operation, a second targeted individual, also in the Qasirin area, was a suspected Special Groups leader who specialized in the use of improvised explosive devices in attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces. He was also allegedly an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders involved in attacks on Coalition forces.
Intelligence led ground forces to the target area, where they captured the wanted individual and detained one other suspected criminal, also without incident.
Coalition forces target al-Qaeda in Iraq networks, 19 suspected terrorists detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 19 suspected terrorists Monday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation north of Taji Monday, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist believed to be a key member of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in Baghdad. He is allegedly a direct subordinate of the network’s senior leader and previously served in Tarmiyah, north of Baghdad. The suspected terrorist was involved in attacks against Coalition forces, beheadings, sniper and improvised explosive device attacks, and foreign terrorist facilitation. During the operation an additional four suspected terrorists were detained.
During another operation targeting associates of the network north of Baghdad, Coalition forces detained three suspects in the capital city this morning while targeting a terrorist involved with kidnapping operations.
During operations in Baqubah, east of Samarra and in Mosul today, Coalition forces detained 11 suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq associates involved in improvised explosive device attacks and foreign terrorist facilitation.
Seven suspected insurgents detained in Zabul Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Coalition forces detained seven suspected insurgents during an operation Monday to degrade Taliban networks in Zabul Province.
Coalition forces performed a search of several compounds in the Qalat district, targeting insurgents with ties to Taliban and foreign fighter facilitators.
During the course of the operation, Coalition forces found and detained seven individuals, including one who identified himself as a Taliban insurgent. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement in facilitation operations as well as other extremist activities.
Coalition forces also recovered two weapons from one of the compounds which were removed to prevent further use by extremist forces.
ANSF, Coalition forces stop insurgent attacks in Helmand Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces conducting security patrols in Helmand Province stopped two potential insurgent attacks Jan. 20.
Near the village of Tambah in Narh-e Saraj District, a suspected insurgent was seen placing an improvised explosive device on a frequently-traveled roadway near the Helmand River. After observing the illegal activity and ensuring no civilians were in the immediate area, Afghan National Army soldiers called in Coalition aircraft to drop precision-guided munitions on the IED location. The secondary explosion, caused by the explosive material in the IED, confirmed the weapon’s destruction, making the roadway safe for civilians traveling in the area.
Just a few kilometers north of Tambah, near the village of Qadar Kalay, also in Narh-e Saraj District, credible intelligence indicated that a group of insurgent spotters occupying an enemy observation post were coordinating further attacks against ANSF and Coalition soldiers. Afghan National Army soldiers responded by calling in Coalition aircraft to eliminate the insurgent location.
Tambah is a known center for insurgent activity. During a security patrol through the village, the combined force found several 105mm and 82mm shell casings, IED-making materials, and a cache of drugs.
