Good News From The War On Terror 2/24-25
Coalition forces disrupt terrorist operations; three killed, 25 detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 25 suspects Saturday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda operating in central and northern Iraq.
Coalition forces conducted an operation east of Samarra in Karwi Saturday targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq associate of the Baqouba suicide bombing network. The suspect is reportedly associated with two terrorists killed during operations Feb. 10 and 16 for their involvement in weapons facilitation and ties to the AQI network in the Hamrin Mountains.
When Coalition forces arrived in the area, they were fired on by a man matching the description of the wanted individual. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged the terrorist, killing him. As they continued to clear the area, they observed several other enemy personnel nearby, and a supporting helicopter engaged, killing two additional terrorists. Once the area was secure, the ground force confirmed the first terrorist killed was the wanted individual. In one of the target buildings, Coalition forces discovered what appeared to be an improvised explosive device manufacturing facility. The IED materials and several vehicles found on site were destroyed to prevent future use for terrorist attacks. Coalition forces also detained seven suspected terrorists.
South of Samarra today, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of an AQI network operating in al-Anbar province. Reports indicate the suspect is connected to an AQI leader associated with numerous senior terrorists operating both inside and outside Iraq, and who is involved in AQI media and propaganda operations.
Intelligence reports led Coalition forces to an area in Mosul believed to be a possible safe haven for a group of foreign terrorists involved in recent attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces. The location is also reportedly connected with a suspect detained Feb. 19 for his association with a senior-level facilitator in the city. During the operation, the ground force cleared the area and detained four wanted suspects on site.
During operations in Tikrit and east of Hamim al-Alil, nine suspected terrorists were detained today while targeting associates involved in foreign terrorist facilitation for the Mosul AQI network. Also, Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists during a multi-day operation Friday and Saturday northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains targeting an alleged AQI safe haven and meeting location.
Coalition forces target Baghdad, Diyala terrorist networks; one killed, four detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained four suspects Saturday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda operating in central Iraq.
Saturday afternoon in Baghdad, Coalition forces killed a wanted terrorist and captured another wanted individual, both of whom were reportedly close associates of the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader for the networks operating in the city. During the operation, Coalition forces detained both individuals on site. One of the individuals then attempted to escape, lunging toward Coalition forces, who engaged the hostile threat, killing him.
In Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member involved in the planning of suicide attacks in the city. The suspect had reportedly arranged to receive a suicide vest in order to attack a group of Concerned Local Citizen recruits. Intelligence indicates the suspect is a close associate of several leaders involved in AQI networks throughout Baghdad. Information gained from this operation led Coalition forces to a nearby location, where they captured an alleged member of the city’s car bombing network, who is also believed to have been involved in attacks against CLCs.
During an operation east of Khan Bani Sad today, one suspected terrorist was detained at an alleged AQI meeting location associated with the suicide network in the Diyala River Valley. Nearby, Coalition forces directed a fixed-wing airstrike on a house assessed to be rigged with explosives.
Coalition forces capture Iranian-backed Special Groups facilitator, detain seven suspects
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Iranian-backed Special Groups finance facilitator and detained six other suspected criminals early Sunday in the Suwayrah area, south of Baghdad.
The targeted individual was reportedly a finance leader for Iranian-affiliated Special Groups criminals and militias in Iraq’s southern provinces to include Najaf, Karbala, Babil, Wasit and Qadisiyah. He was also allegedly a mortar and rocket specialist who had trained in Iran. Reports indicate he was an associate of several other senior-level Special Groups 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 six other suspected criminals without incident. During the operation, Coalition forces also discovered large amounts of American currency.
Coalition Forces capture 4 key AQI leaders
BAGHDAD – Coalition Forces capture four suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in the Baghdad Feb 24.
The suspects are accused of being associated with numerous terrorist attacks in the Baghdad area, to include vehicle-borne improvised-explosive attacks, suicide VBIEDs and suicide vest IED attacks.
A series of recent terrorist attacks is believed to have been actively targeting innocent Iraqi civilians and Sons of Iraq.
Coalition forces disrupt Taliban networks in Helmand
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Coalition forces conducted two operations to disrupt Taliban leadership networks in Helmand Province Feb. 23.
Coalition forces conducted a search of compounds in the Kajaki District targeting a Taliban leader responsible for conducting anti-government operations in the area. A number of insurgents were killed during the two operations when they employed small arms and hand-grenades against Coalition forces.
ANSF, Coalition forces clear enemy stronghold in Helmand
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces, advised by Coalition forces, cleared Karez deh Baba and Kajaki in Helmand Province of insurgents and returned the area to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s control Feb. 20-22.
Before the fall of Musa Qaleh, insurgents used these villages and the surrounding area as part of a supply line to move weapons and drugs into the city. Insurgents were using the villages to launch attacks on Musa Qaleh and the upper Sangin Valley.
ANSF conducted operations to disrupt the insurgents’ ability to engage friendly forces with small-arms, rocket and indirect fire from the prepared fighting positions in the area in the first two days of fighting. Friendly forces also used precision air strikes.
The ANSF spoke with the local populace to ensure they understood the purpose of the mission to restore security and to improve the civil infrastructure in the area.
Other villagers said they will welcome ANSF and GIRoA’s leadership along with the security and stability they can provide. Villagers also provided crucial information about common insurgent practices and the locations of insurgent safehouses.
During the next day of fighting, ANSF-led forces deployed in smaller units when they observed insurgents moving into fighting positions to engage them. The ANSF rooted out the insurgents and cleared the position finding an improvised explosive device and a small arms cache.
The enemy reinforced different fighting positions and engaged with indirect fire when the ANSF-led force renewed their assault. They found another small-arms and ammunition cache and destroyed both with precision guided munitions.
Friendly forces found approximately 400 pounds of ammonium nitrate that was destroyed in another insurgent safehouse.
The ANSF-led force eventually discovered the insurgents’ command center and a 100-foot deep interconnected tunnel system. The command center consisted of a series of caves and the tunnel was littered with spare ammunition and shell casings. The ANSF suppressed enemy forces in the immediate area before destroying the cave and tunnel system with precision guided munitions.
