Good News From The War On Terror 2/11
Coalition Forces capture Special Groups commander, Iraqi Police assist
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces, with assistance from the Iraqi Police, captured a suspected Special Groups commander and detained one other suspect early Monday during operations in the Hillah area, south of Baghdad.
The targeted individual was reportedly in charge of Special Groups criminal elements in Wasit, Babil and Najaf provinces. He was allegedly involved in the coordination of Special Groups weapon shipments, and the planning of attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces. Reports also indicate he was an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders involved in attacks on Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the wanted individual and the other suspected criminal without incident.
The Iraqi Police facilitated the operation by directing local Iraqi citizens away from the target area during the assault. Additionally, they conducted a follow-on investigation of the target area after the mission concluded.
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Operations Forces advising, detained three suspected terrorists during separate raids Feb. 9.
In Balad, Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces detained two suspected members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell believed to be involved in multiple attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. According to intelligence reports, the terrorist cell is involved in mortar and sniper attacks as well as emplacing improvised explosive devices.
In Anah, near Rawah, Iraqi Police and U.S. Special Operations Forces detained a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell member believed to be responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. According to intelligence reports, the suspect has been active in several insurgent groups, recently leading a 50-member terror cell. He is also allegedly involved in weapons cache emplacement in Rawah.
MND-B Soldiers capture suspected terrorist, high-value
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the Abu Ghuraib region of the Iraqi capitol Feb. 9.
This suspected AQI operator is believed to be a key facilitator of terrorist activities in southern Baghdad. He is the regiment’s number-one, high-value target and is being held for questioning.
It is believed the detention of the suspect will significantly contribute to the continually improving security situation in Abu Ghraib. Due to its proximity to major highways and northeast Baghdad, security and stability in Abu Ghraib is significant. Stability allows the economy and quality of life for local residents to improve and accelerates the improving security situation in the Iraqi capital.
Coalition targets al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in Mosul; one killed; 14 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 14 suspects yesterday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq.
North of Mosul yesterday, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an associate of a senior foreign terrorist facilitator with connections to AQI senior leadership. The terrorist leader reportedly commands a group of foreign terrorists and suicide bombers who are responsible for the attack that resulted in the death of five Coalition Soldiers Jan. 28. The targeted individual is allegedly tied to several other terrorists closely associated with the leader, and is also involved in attacks against Coalition and Iraq forces in the region.
During the operation, the ground force observed two suspects maneuvering from the target building and directed them to stop their movement. The suspects did not comply and continued to maneuver toward the ground force. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged the two men, killing one and wounding the other. The wounded individual was subsequently detained, along with two other suspects, and transported to a military medical facility for further treatment.
In Mosul Monday, Coalition forces captured an alleged AQI cell leader believed to be involved in attacks against Coalition and Iraq forces and to be associated with numerous terrorist leaders operating in the region. The ground force detained four suspected terrorists in addition to the wanted individual.
On the east side of Mosul, Coalition forces detained an additional six suspects while targeting a foreign terrorist facilitator also responsible for coordinating attacks against Coalition and Iraq forces.
Two terrorists killed, seven detained as Coalition targets al-Qaeda networks
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained seven suspects yesterday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.
Southeast of Samarra, near the Hamrin Mountains, yesterday, Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq explosives facilitator involved in the suicide bombing network in the Diyala River Valley. Coalition forces followed the suspect’s vehicle and fired multiple warning shots in an attempt to get him to stop, but he did not comply. An individual in the car was observed reaching for a weapon, and perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged. Upon impact, secondary explosions erupted from the vehicle indicating explosives were inside. The other passenger managed to exit the vehicle before the explosion and was armed with a machine gun. Coalition forces engaged the perceived threat, killing him. Once the area was secure, the ground force confirmed the driver was killed during the engagement, and they recovered several weapons, false documents and AQI-related materials on site.
The ground force also discovered three Iraqi civilians that were bedded down on the side of the road underneath a blanket near the area of the engagement. Two civilians were hit with stray fire during the course of operations, killing one and wounding another. The wounded individual was treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care.
North of Mahmudiya today, Coalition forces captured an alleged leader involved in the southern belt AQI network. The network is operating in a degraded state after recent successes of Coalition forces against its leadership and associates, to include the detention of a key facilitator Feb. 9, the deputy leader of the network Jan. 10, and three leaders killed during a Coalition forces airstrike Dec. 27. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained six suspected terrorists and found various protective gear, weapons and three military style assault vests on site.
