Good News From The War On Terror 2/2
Coalition disrupts weapons facilitation networks, six detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.
During coordinated operations near Abu Ghurayb, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda member associated with the procurement of weapons from outside of Iraq. The suspected terrorist is reportedly involved in the construction of improvised explosive devices, to include booby-trapped houses. Intelligence indicates he is also associated with other al-Qaeda in Iraq members involved in the weapons facilitation network, including the terrorist targeted during a follow-on operation in Baghdad. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists and found numerous IED materials on site.
Information gained from the operations in Abu Ghurayb led Coalition forces to Baghdad, where they targeted a suspected terrorist leader responsible for the facilitation of homemade explosives and IED materials from outside of Iraq, and associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq media and propaganda network in the city. The ground force detained three suspected terrorists on site without incident.
Coalition disrupts suicide bombing cell, five detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq.
In continued efforts to disrupt terrorist networks in Mosul, Coalition forces conducted operations targeting members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide bombing cell. During the operations, the ground force captured the alleged cell leader and his brother-in-law, who is reportedly also a member of the cell. The suspected terrorist cell leader allegedly coordinated attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces, as well as assassinations targeting local officials and rival insurgents. In addition to the alleged cell leader and his brother-in-law, one other suspected terrorist was detained during the operations.
Also in Mosul, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists while targeting associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the network operating in the southeast region of the city. The leader is allegedly a foreign terrorist facilitator with numerous connections to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership.
Coalition targets al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in Mosul, seven detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in Mosul.
During a series of operations in west Mosul, Coalition forces captured three wanted individuals believed to be associated with the former senior leader of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in the city. The three suspects are reportedly brothers, one of whom allegedly works directly for the former terrorist leader. Also, intelligence indicates the brothers have ties to other al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership operating in the region.
On the other side of the city, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged judge of a terrorist illegal court system. An individual believed to be the previous terrorist judge involved in the interrogation of al-Qaeda in Iraq kidnapping victims was detained during an operation Jan. 17. Four suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.
These captures add to numerous successes by Coalition forces in the city over the last few weeks, including the detention of several suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders, alleged members of a suicide bombing cell, and two individuals believed to be leaders in the region’s Ansar al Sunna group.
Coalition targets al-Qaeda in Iraq networks; one killed, 13 detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 13 suspects Friday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation northeast of Samarra Friday, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq associates believed to be connected to several known terrorist meeting locations in the area. The ground force detained one suspected terrorist without incident and destroyed a vehicle in the target area that was being used for terrorist activity.
Information gained from the operation led Coalition forces to another location outside of Samarra Friday, where al-Qaeda in Iraq associates were believed to be operating. The ground force called in supporting aircraft to engage an underground bunker believed to be occupied by terrorists. When the aircraft engaged, Coalition forces observed considerable secondary explosions erupt from the location, indicating numerous explosive materials and weapons were stored inside. The ground force assessed that one terrorist was killed. Nearby, the ground force also detained an additional two suspects believed to be tied to the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.
West of Mahmudiyah early this morning, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member believed to be associated with the procurement of weapons from outside of Iraq. The wanted individual is reportedly a direct contact of a suspect detained Jan. 31, who was taken into custody based on similar allegations, including the construction of improvised explosive devices and booby-trapped houses, as well as ties to a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons facilitator. The ground force detained one suspected terrorist in addition to the wanted individual.
During an operation in Bayji today, Coalition forces captured an alleged terrorist media cell member involved in the city’s al-Qaeda in Iraq network. Reports indicate the suspect is specifically involved in the production of propaganda materials, to include items featuring the former al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The suspect is also allegedly associated with several al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the network. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force found numerous media materials on site.
An additional seven suspects were detained during an operation north of Tarmiyah when Coalition forces targeted the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader for the network in the city.
During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition forces destroyed an IED and weapons cache to prevent future use for terrorist activity.
Coalition forces capture criminal Special Groups facilitator, detain two other suspects
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured a suspected criminal Special Groups finance facilitator and detained two other suspects early this morning during operations to disrupt criminal networks in the Baghdad area.
The targeted individual was reportedly in charge of payroll for criminal Special Groups in Wasit Province, and oversaw all criminal Special Groups operations in Suwayrah, Numaniyah, Aziziyah and Kut. He allegedly financed criminals and their attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. Reports indicate he was an associate of several senior-level criminal element leaders involved in attacks on Coalition forces.
Intelligence led ground forces to the target area where they captured the wanted individual and the two other suspected criminals without incident.
