Good News From The War On Terror 2/13
Iraqi Police take charge after small arms attack, 1 IP killed, 7 insurgents dead, 16 detained
MOSUL, Iraq – An Iraqi Policeman and seven insurgents were killed during a small arms fire attack, in southern Ninevah Province, Feb. 11.
Nearby homes were searched and 16 individuals were detained by the IPs for further questioning.
Coalition targets al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq; two terrorists killed, three detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained three suspects today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.
Coalition forces conducted an operation in Baqouba today as part of continued efforts to disrupt the al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide network operating in Diyala, Baghdad, Mosul and other areas of Iraq. Coalition forces targeted an alleged associate of an improvised explosive device cell leader operating in the region, and an IED facilitator who was killed during an operation Feb. 8. Coalition forces killed two terrorists during the operation.
In Tarmiyah, three suspected terrorists were detained while targeting an alleged leader of the terrorist network in the city, who is a close associate of the northern belt al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader. The network is responsible for car bombing and IED attacks in the area, as well as AQI operations involving extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists.
Paratroopers target criminal elements; detain 25
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers targeting criminal elements detained 25 individuals during a series of coordinated operations Feb. 11 in the Sabak Sur, a neighborhood in northeast Baghdad.
Paratroopers with the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, conducted the operations, which were designed to root out criminal elements from an area that has recently emerged as a safe haven for Special Groups.
The operations were initiated from tips provided by local residents, said Maj. Trey Rutherford, executive officer for the 2nd Bn., 325th AIR, 82nd Abn. Div., MND-B.
Rutherford said the detained individuals are suspected of multiple mortar attacks and explosively formed penetrator attacks against Coalition Forces as well as the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi civilians.
He said they were also involved in intimidation and attacks on members of the Iraqi Police, Iraqi National Police and the Sons of Iraq volunteer security force.
Rutherford said the detention of 25 criminal elements in a single night would have a significant impact on the safety and security of residents in Sabak Sur.
Coalition targets terrorist networks in northern Iraq; two terrorists killed, five detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained five suspects Tuesday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq.
During an operation southeast of Hawijah Tuesday, Coalition forces targeted an alleged leader for the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in Kirkuk. Reports indicate the suspect is tied to numerous leaders within the network, to include Abu Harith, a former leader of the network who was killed Nov. 21 for his role in facilitating terrorist attacks.
As the ground force arrived in the target area, they encountered two armed suspects. One man was carrying a machine gun and one man that matched the description of the targeted terrorist was wearing a grenade belt. One of the men reached for his grenade belt and, perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing both men. Once the area was secure, the ground force confirmed one of the men killed was the targeted terrorist.
Coalition forces detained an additional five suspects southwest of Samarra today, while targeting associates connected to an al-Qaeda in Iraq car-bomb factory in the area. Reports indicate the targeted individuals were involved in AQI operations, to include executions, and were close associates of a suspect detained Tuesday for his involvement in weapons and improvised explosive device facilitation.
2nd Brigade Soldiers discover largest cache finds since start of Marne Thunderbolt
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division found 3,000 pounds of munitions Feb. 6, collectively the largest find since the start of Operation Marne Thunderbolt Jan. 1.
Both the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment are conducting ongoing operations in southern Arab Jabour in support of Marne Thunderbolt.
Company C, 1-30th Inf. Regt. discovered 12 55-gallon barrels of homemade explosives. Company B, 1-30th Inf. Regt. found a pressure-plate improvised explosive device consisting of three 122 mm rounds and one mine of unknown origin. Another find yielded a cache of two mines, one 57 mm projectile, one jar of HME, one artillery shell filled with HME and one 155 mm artillery round.
Soldiers from Company A, 5-7th Cav. Regt. discovered an anti-aircraft gun, completely operational, with an extra barrel.
Company B, 5-7th Cav. Regt. Soldiers found 45 cans of DSHKA rounds, one DSHKA barrel, 20 rockets, two 120 mm rounds, 90 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 20 RPG fuses, 130 charges and four hand grenades. In a smaller find the same day, they located a cache of three 120 mm rockets.
The items found reveal a history of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s presence in the area.
Coalition forces degrade insurgent operations in Oruzgan
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – An armed assailant was killed and three individuals were detained during a Coalition forces’ operation Feb. 12 in Oruzgan Province to degrade insurgent networks in the area.
Coalition forces performed a search of compounds in the Tarin Kowt district targeting a Taliban commander responsible for conducting anti-government activities.
While conducting a search of one of the compounds, Coalition forces were engaged by multiple armed assailants barricaded in a building. One of the assailants was killed by Coalition forces employing small-arms fire. Another armed assailant who fired on Coalition forces was captured.
Completing the search, Coalition Forces detained three individuals, including the captured assailant who fired on Coalition forces, with suspected links to the Taliban. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement with Taliban operations and other extremist activities.
ANSF, Coalition forces recover weapons caches in Nangarhar
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Recently, Afghans provided information leading to the recovery of a suspected insurgent weapons cache in Zawa Village of Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, near the Pakistan Border.
The cache, recovered Jan. 16, consisted of 93 recoilless-rifle rounds. Insurgents frequently use these weapons to attack Afghan National Security Forces or Coalition forces, or terrorize Afghan citizens throughout the province.According to a Coalition soldier, the weapons found were in good condition.
