Good News From The War On Terror 1/23

Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda in Iraq operating in Diyala, 15 terrorists killed

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 15 terrorists Tuesday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks north of Baqubah. During an operation Tuesday, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged leader for the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the Diyala province.  The targeted individual is believed to be an improvised explosive device specialist involved in coordinating IED and suicide-vest attacks in the region. Reports also indicate the targeted individual has ties to several al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. As Coalition forces arrived in the target area, they observed several individuals reach for their weapons. Coalition forces fired warning shots in an attempt to get the men to cease their actions, but they did not comply.  Perceiving hostile intent from the armed men, Coalition forces engaged, killing two terrorists, to include the wanted individual. Upon clearing the area, the ground force discovered improvised explosive devices and grenades, which were safely destroyed, along with a vehicle in the target area. Coalition forces returned to the region this morning, targeting another alleged leader of the Diyala network associated with the terrorist killed during operations the previous day. As Coalition forces arrived in the target area they observed a group of enemy personnel moving into fighting positions. Responding in self-defense, the ground force called supporting aircraft to engage the hostile force, killing 10 terrorists. Coalition forces continued to clear the area and called for the occupants of the target building to come out, but they did not comply. Several terrorists were then observed maneuvering toward Coalition forces and they engaged the perceived hostile threat, killing three terrorists. As Coalition forces secured the building, they discovered a cache of weapons to include machine guns, military style assault vests, rocket propelled grenade propellant and various ammunition. Nearby, the ground force discovered additional weapons caches to include rocket propelled grenades, artillery and mortar rounds, improvised IEDs, and suicide-vest materials. All of the weapons were safely destroyed on site.

 

Coalition targets al-Qaeda in Iraq networks; five killed, 16 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – forces killed five terrorists and detained 16 suspects Tuesday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces conducted an operation east of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains Tuesday targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member involved in terrorist media and propaganda operations. The targeted individual is reportedly associated with numerous al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders, as well as a suspect detained Monday for his involvement in the terrorist networks in Tarmiyah and Baghdad (see MNF-I press release A080121a, “Coalition significantly disrupts al-Qaeda networks: two killed; 18 detained,” dated Jan. 21, 2008). During the operation, Coalition forces confirmed the presence of several armed men maneuvering in the target area and fired multiple warning shots in an attempt to get the men to stop their movement. They men did not comply, and Coalition forces engaged, killing five terrorists. Nearby in Samarra Tuesday night and early this morning, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in foreign terrorist facilitation networks in the region. Reports indicate the suspected terrorist is associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader for the network in Samarra, as well as another suspect detained Jan. 18 for his role in the facilitation network, to include using his residence as a safe haven for al-Qaeda in Iraq members and foreign terrorists. During operations this morning, Coalition forces detained 13 suspected terrorists during two coordinated operations in Mosul targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership, and an additional two suspects in Baghdad while targeting a terrorist involved in improvised explosive device attacks.

 

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain suspected terrorists in separate raids (Balad)

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained a suspected terrorist leader, a suspected terrorist facilitator, and three other suspects in raids Jan. 20 and Jan. 22 in Balad and Hawija. The suspected leader of an al Qaeda in Iraq affiliated terror cell operating in Albu Krawan and Shihab Village was detained during a raid in Balad during a Jan. 22 raid. The suspected terrorist and his cell are believed to be responsible for mortar and improvised explosive device attacks against Coalition Forces as well as the kidnapping of innocent Iraqi civilians. In addition, he is believed to have provided safe houses, weapons and financing for terrorist operations in the region. A suspected terrorist facilitator and three others suspects were detained during a raid in the vicinity of Hawija, in the Kirkuk province, Jan. 20. According to intelligence reports, the four suspects are members of an Al Qaeda in Iraq cell that facilitates terrorist attacks. The suspects are believed to provide medical care, financing and safe havens for terrorists who carry out attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

 

ANSF operation nets nine in Musa Qaleh

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces disrupted Taliban command and control networks in Helmand Province Jan. 22 killing one insurgent and detaining nine others with the aid of Coalition forces. The combined force conducted a search of several compounds in the Musa Qaleh District  targeting a Taliban commander reportedly having ties to foreign fighters and drug trafficking networks. The combined force was met with small-arms fire from an insurgent barricaded in a building in one of the compounds during the course of the operation.  The combined force returned small-arms fire killing the insurgent. ANSF and Coalition forces detained nine individuals while performing a search of the area. The detainees will be questioned as to their involvement in extremist activities.