Good News From The War On Terror 1/7

Adhamiyah Iraqi Security Volunteers find weapons caches

BAGHDAD – Local Iraqi Security Volunteers discovered two large weapons caches Dec. 29 in Baghdad’s Adhamiyah neighborhood, adding to a spike in the number of weapons caches found since the ISV began operating in November. The two new discoveries bring the total number of weapons caches found to 48 since early November when volunteers first began manning checkpoints and other guard positions in Adhamiyah. The latest in a series of discoveries began Dec. 29, when volunteers manning a checkpoint position discovered a buried cache containing more than 85 57mm anti-aircraft projectiles. The volunteers notified U.S. Soldiers from the regiment, who responded to transport the weapons to a safe location. Less than two hours later, another group of volunteers reported finding a cache buried in an open area behind the cemetery of the Abu Hanifa Mosque. The cache consisted of 20 anti-personnel mines, three 152mm projectiles, and one 120mm mortar round. ISV units have helped uncover multiple caches in the vicinity of the Abu Hanifa Mosque over the last two months. The stockpiles are remnants from the time when the mosque was a safe haven for local Sunni insurgents and foreign fighters, according to Maj. Ike Sallee, the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cav’s operations officer.

 

Operations net explosives, weapons caches in Rashid

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers discovered a weapons cache during a patrol Jan. 2, while a joint patrol found another Jan. 1 during ongoing operations in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital. ‘Warriors’ from 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., found a cache of explosives while patrolling eastern Doura Jan. 2. Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel detonated the cache which consisted of a 155 mm artillery round with detonation cord attached, four 107 mm rockets, three pineapple grenades, 170 pounds of homemade explosives, a satchel charge, two electronic initiators and 15 blasting caps. While patrolling Saydiyah, Iraqi Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and ‘Tuskers’ from Company B, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment attached to Task Force Dragon, found a cache of five shotguns of various types, two black powder rifles, 14 flintlock pistols and six handguns, six knives of various lengths and sizes, a hatchet, a bow and two phone cards. Iraqi law permits home owners to own an AK-47 assault rifle and a full magazine for home defense.

 

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership; six suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists yesterday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks along the Tigris River Valley. During an operation in Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be the deputy al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the network operating in the city.  Reports indicate the suspect is responsible for approving targets for terrorist attacks and previously served as a judge of an illegal court system involved in ordering and approving abductions and executions. The wanted individual is also believed to be associated with several terrorists targeted by Coalition forces recently, to include a leader of the al-Qaeda network in west Mosul killed Dec. 25, and two other associates detained Dec. 13. In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Rusafah. The wanted individual has close ties to an alleged terrorist attack coordinator who was recruited by the al-Qaeda senior leader in Baghdad. The two individuals were reportedly planning a suicide attack targeting Coalition forces and Concerned Local Citizens operating in the area.  The ground force detained the wanted individual without incident along with another suspect assessed to be his brother. Coalition forces detained three additional suspected terrorists during an operation in Tikrit targeting an alleged associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the region.  The targeted individual is reportedly involved in attacks against Coalition forces and has ties to improvised explosive device operations near Ad Dawr.

 

Iraqi Civil Defense Corps hands over large explosives cache to Kazakhstani Soldiers (Al Kut)

BAGHDAD – A cache of 1,369 unexploded ordnance was turned over to Coalition Forces based at Forward Operating Base Delta Jan. 3. Iraqi Civil Defense Corps personnel, an arm of the Iraqi Ministry of the Interior which handles explosives, delivered the unexploded ordnance and small arms cartridges to the Kazakhstani Soldiers, according to 1st Lt. Almaz Mukashev, the Kazakhstani liaison officer. Additionally, some of the ordnance were remnants of the Iran-Iraq War. The cache contained 1,255 57 mm mortars, 51 120 mm mortar mines, 14 152 mm artillery rounds, 33 60 mm artillery rounds, 15 155 mm artillery rounds, one 82 mm mortar and 1,071 20 mm small arms cartridges.

 

Shkin ANP arrest IED cell in Paktika

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Police from Shkin arrested a two-man terrorist cell Jan. 5 in Bermel District, Paktika Province.  The two insurgents are suspected of being responsible for a remote-controlled improvised explosive device attack, which injured an Afghan National Army soldier and a support technician near Shkin Nov. 12.  The Shkin ANP independently developed the intelligence identifying, locating and targeting the two-man cell.  The same cell is also implicated in several other attacks using remote-controlled IEDs throughout Bermel District. During the raid of the insurgent’s compound, ANP investigators found evidence of their involvement in several IED attacks. Several IED components, weapons, cell phones and documents were discovered. Before the operation, ANP leaders coordinated with the provincial governor and Coalition forces.  Afterward, a shura was held with village elders to present evidence against the criminals.