Good News From The War on Terror 2/14-15
Coalition targets al-Qaeda in Iraq networks; seven terrorists killed, 16 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed seven terrorists and detained 16 suspects Wednesday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
During a series of operations south of Sharqat Wednesday night and early this morning, Coalition forces targeted an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Salah ad-Din province. The targeted suspect is allegedly responsible for the equipping, financing and planning of AQI operations in northern Iraq, and is associated with senior level al-Qaeda members operating inside and outside of the country.
As Coalition forces arrived at one of the target locations, they observed multiple armed personnel maneuvering into position against them. Two armed terrorists fired at Coalition forces, who engaged in self-defense, killing them. A supporting aircraft was called to engage the remaining threat, killing an additional four terrorists. During the engagement, one civilian was wounded, treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care. As the ground force cleared the area, they found various weapons and ammunition in and around the target buildings. Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists during the series of operations.
During operations Wednesday and today in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of the AQI network in Karkh, which is responsible for improvised explosive device and car-bomb attacks in the area. Reports indicate the suspect is also associated with an AQI media and propaganda network operating in the city, to include a suspect detained Feb. 8 for his involvement in media operations.
In southeast Mosul Wednesday, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged associate of AQI senior leadership operating in the area, including a senior level foreign terrorist facilitator. As the ground force cleared the target building, they were engaged by small-arms fire from a terrorist wearing a suicide belt. Coalition forces responded in self-defense and engaged the armed terrorist, killing him. Once the area was secure, an expert explosives team destroyed the suicide belt to prevent future use.
Coalition targets suicide bombing cell, IED network; three killed, 10 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 10 suspects Thursday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern and central Iraq.
During an operation in Mosul Thursday morning, Coalition forces targeted alleged associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader and foreign terrorist facilitator. Reports indicate that one of the targeted individuals is a leader of a suicide bombing cell in the city and involved in attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces in the area.
Intelligence led Coalition forces to an area where a vehicle associated with the targeted suspects was located and the ground force directed an airstrike. An individual, who was previously in the targeted vehicle, was observed fleeing the area and Coalition forces followed him to a nearby alley, where he was subsequently detained.
Also Thursday, Coalition forces conducted an operation northeast of Samarra targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader for the region. As Coalition forces arrived in the target area they observed two armed men. Coalition forces perceived hostile intent when one of the individuals reached for his weapon and they engaged, killing two terrorists. Upon clearing the area, the ground force recovered two weapons and improvised explosive device materials. The ground force also destroyed a vehicle in the target area to prevent further use for terrorist activity.
Southwest of Mahmudiyah today, Coalition forces captured an alleged terrorist associated with the facilitation of weapons, IED materials, vehicles and suicide bombers for use in al-Qaeda in Iraq attacks. The individual is believed to be associated with six other individuals who have been detained by Coalition forces within the last month for their suspected involvement in the weapons facilitation network. Reports indicate the suspect is also a close contact of several terrorist leaders including foreign based weapons facilitators.
On the way to the target area, Coalition forces were engaged by an armed individual, and they returned fire in self-defense, killing him. They continued on to the target building where the wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was subsequently detained, along with one additional suspect.
Also this morning, Coalition forces conducted an operation in Baghdad resulting in the capture of an alleged terrorist facilitator for al-Qaeda in Iraq networks operating between the capital city and north of Ramadi. The suspect is reportedly connected to the IED and car-bombing networks in Baghdad, and to the leader of the Ramadi AQI network. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained four suspected terrorists.
Nearby, one additional suspect was detained for his alleged ties to an IED manufacturer for the car-bombing network in Baghdad.
Wolfhounds capture brigade’s #1 high-value individual
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Elements of 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, detained the brigade’s number-one high-value individual and his brother early Feb. 14.
The two are suspected al Qaeda in Iraq as improvised-explosive device facilitators and are allegedly linked to a fatal IED attack Jan. 29.
Five others suspected of facilitating improvised-explosive device activity in Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad were also detained.
All seven suspects are being held for further questioning.
ISOF, SOF detain splinter group leader
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces advising, detained a suspected leader of a criminal splinter group near al-Hillah, Iraq, Feb. 13.
The suspect and his criminal splinter group are suspected of mortar attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces and attacks using improvised explosive devices and explosively formed projectiles. According to intelligence reports, the group is also involved in the torture, kidnapping and murder of Iraqi citizens.
Also detained in the operation was an associate member of the criminal splinter group.
ISOF, SOF detain four extremist suspects in separate operations
BALAD Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Operations Forces advising, detained four suspected extremists in separate operations Feb. 11 and Feb. 12.
In Fallujah, an Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics team, advised by SOF, detained three suspected extremists in a Feb. 12 operation targeting an al Qaeda in Iraq affiliated terror cell. Reports indicate, the terror cell is responsible for improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. The cell is also suspected of weapons smuggling, hijackings and intimidation of Iraqi civilians.
On Feb. 11, Iraqi Security Forces, advised by SOF, detained a suspected cell member in Tal Hayyal. The suspected extremist is accused of improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces. The suspected extremist’s cell is also believed to be involved in a plot to assassinate a local official.
Coalition forces disrupt Taliban command and control networks
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Several armed insurgents were killed and nine armed individuals were detained during two separate Coalition forces’ operations Wednesday to disrupt Taliban command and control networks.
Coalition forces conducted an operation in the Tarin Kowt District of Oruzgan Province targeting a Taliban leader responsible for conducting anti-government activities in the area.
Coalition forces targeted a group of insurgents on motorcycles associated with the targeted Taliban leader. Coalition forces employed accurate, aerial-delivered conventional munitions, which destroyed the motorcycles and killed a number of insurgents.
In a follow-on assessment, Coalition forces performed a search of compounds in the district targeting the Oruzgan-based Taliban leader and his associates hiding in the area.
A number of armed insurgents were killed with small-arms fire while Coalition forces searched the compound. Several AK-47s, ammunition vests and grenades were recovered and removed to prevent their use by enemy forces.
Coalition forces found and detained three armed individuals during their search. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement in Taliban operations as well as other illegal activities.
As a precautionary measure, Coalition forces temporarily delayed a vehicle headed toward the area to protect the occupants from any hostilities occurring during the course of the operation. The vehicle and occupants were released without incident at the conclusion of the operation.
Afghan and Coalition forces also searched compounds for a Taliban leader with links to foreign-fighter facilitators in Qalat District, Zabul Province.
Afghan and Coalition forces found and detained six individuals including one identified as the targeted Taliban leader during the operation. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement in Taliban operations as well as other illegal activities.
