Good News From The War On Terror 1/29-30
Coalition forces target al-Qaeda in Iraq networks, 18 suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 18 suspected terrorists today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
North of Samarra, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq associate responsible for supplying improvised explosive devices and weapons to terrorists operating throughout the region. Reports indicate the suspected terrorist operates between ad-Dawr and Samarra and has ties to senior al-Qaeda leaders throughout those areas. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained four suspected terrorists on site.
Coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists during continued operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in the central regions of the country. North of Baqubah, six suspects were detained while targeting associates of an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq headquarters tied to the suicide attack cells and media networks in the region. In Tarmiyah, Coalition forces targeted the alleged leader of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating north of Baghdad and detained two suspects. Southwest of Baghdad, one suspected terrorist was detained during an operation targeting an alleged IED cell leader in Karkh.
Further north in Sharqat, Coalition forces detained an additional four suspected terrorists during an operation targeting the alleged leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq affiliated insurgent group responsible for attacks on U.S. forces.
Scouts recover weapons cache in Narwhan
FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Scouts from Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment uncovered a large cache near the home of a recently captured individual in Narhwan Jan. 25. Troop B, currently attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, apprehended the high-value target two days earlier in a night-time raid. The individual was wanted for allegedly smuggling large amounts of weapons and ammunition through Narhwan.
The cache was found buried in a black casket behind the home of the arrested suspect.
The cache contained eight rocket-propelled grenades, 20 OG rounds, 30 RPG expellant charges, three RPG launchers, a tactical vest, three AK-47 magazines, 5,200 rounds of small arms ammunition and one PKC machine gun.
Iraqi, U.S. Security Forces detain extremist leader, terrorist financier in separate operations
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces detained an extremist leader and a terrorist financier in separate operations Jan. 27.
In Safwan, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained the leader of an extremist group believed to be responsible for mortar and explosive projectile attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
According to intelligence reports, the group is also responsible for weapons smuggling and attacks against Iraqi citizens.
In Mosul, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained a terrorist financier believed to be involved in several attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Additionally, three persons of interest, believed to be associates of the terrorist financier, were detained.
Coalition forces detain four suspected criminals
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces wounded two suspects and detained four total suspected criminals early this morning during operations in the Baghdad area.
The targeted individual reportedly facilitated financial support to Special Groups criminal element leaders throughout Baghdad. The funds were reportedly used as payment to various criminal element members. The wanted individual was also reported to be an associate of several senior-level criminal element leaders involved in attacks on Coalition forces.
During assault of the target building, two armed suspects maneuvered against Coalition forces, displaying hostile intent. The assault force engaged the armed men in self-defense, wounding them. Coalition forces then detained the two wounded suspects and two additional suspects without further incident. The identities of the suspects are still being determined.
Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda networks; four terrorists killed, 18 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 18 suspects today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.
In continued efforts to degrade al-Qaeda in Iraq networks operating in the Diyala province, Coalition forces targeted individuals associated with an alleged terrorist training facility north of Baqubah. During the operation, the ground force called for the occupants of the target buildings to come out, but they did not comply. Coalition forces entered one of the buildings and encountered armed terrorists who maneuvered toward them. Perceiving hostile intent from the armed men, the ground force engaged, killing two terrorists.
In another building, the ground force encountered armed terrorists using women and children as human shields. While taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of innocent civilians, Coalition forces engaged the men, killing an additional two terrorists.
As the ground force continued to secure the area, they detained two suspected terrorists and discovered a cache of improvised explosive device materials, grenades, machine guns and several military-style assault vests. A vehicle found in the target area contained IED materials and camouflage uniforms, and was destroyed along with the weapons cache to prevent further use by terrorists.
During operations in Baghdad and west of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq members involved in weapons facilitation. In Baghdad, the ground force detained three suspected terrorists, including an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq associate believed to be involved in the facilitation of weapons, IED materials, vehicles and suicide bombers for use by terrorist networks throughout the capital city region.
The suspect is reportedly associated with foreign terrorists and a senior level weapons smuggler for al-Qaeda in Iraq, whom Coalition forces targeted during an operation west of Tarmiyah. Reports indicate the alleged weapons smuggler and terrorist leader is responsible for bringing truckloads of weapons into northern Iraq on a monthly basis for distribution to al-Qaeda in Iraq networks throughout the Tigris River Valley. Reports also indicate the targeted individual is a direct associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri. Two suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.
South of Salman Pak, Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists during an operation targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader reportedly involved in car bombings and foreign terrorist facilitation.
Further north in Tikrit, Coalition forces targeted suspected associates of the leader of the city’s al-Qaeda in Iraq network, who was captured Jan. 25 for his involvement in the facilitation of weapons and foreign terrorists. Three suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.
Villagers lead ANSF to more weapons cache recoveries in Nangarhar Province
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Reporting from villagers in Nangarhar Province led to the recovery of several weapons caches by Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces Jan. 27.
In Bonta, Dara Noor District, in the northernmost section of Nangarhar Province, villagers reported a weapons cache consisting of 30 rocket-propelled grenades and five anti-personnel mines. A week earlier, in Trelay Village, Achin District, on the Pakistan border, reports led to another weapons cache, this one containing 20 anti-personnel mines.
In December and January, Nangarhar citizens have provided information leading to the recovery of several other weapons caches hidden in villages by suspected insurgents.In Deh Bala District, which borders Pakistan, villagers discovered a weapons cache consisting of five anti-tank mines, 20 120mm mortar rounds, five 82mm mortar round and three 82mm recoilless rifle rounds Jan. 14.In the Jalalabad District of northern Nangarhar Province, the combined force recovered nine blocks of TNT, 22 fuses and a Chinese-made projectile Jan. 14.
The cache in Khogyani District, recovered Jan. 16, consisted of 68 82mm and 25 75mm recoilless rifle rounds. Insurgents frequently use these weapons to attack ANSF or Coalition forces, or terrorize Afghan citizens throughout the province.In December, villagers in nearby Paktya Province turned in more than 700 weapons and munitions, including 247 rocket-propelled grenades and three launchers, 99 hand grenades, 124 anti-personnel mines, 11 82mm recoilless rifle rounds, 14 82mm mortars, 10 anti-tank mines, 200 anti-tank mine fuses, three remote-controlled improvised explosive devices, four Kalashnikov machine guns, and two RPD machine guns.
