Good News From The War On Terror 2/4-5
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two terror suspects and killed three terrorists in separate operations Feb. 1.
In the village of Mashraf, Iraqi and U.S. Forces detained two members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell who are believed to be responsible for multiple improvised explosive device and small-arms fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
According to intelligence reports, the two suspects are directly responsible for a January 2008 attack on an Iraqi Police checkpoint that killed two Iraqi Soldiers and an Iraqi Police officer.
Near the city of Tal Afar, an Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics Team, together with U.S. Special Forces, conducted an operation to detain two suspected terrorist cell leaders.
During the course of the operation, the assault force came under small-arms fire. The assault force returned fire, killing three terrorists. One Coalition Force team member received minor injuries when a grenade thrown by one of the terrorists exploded near his position.
Night raids apprehend eight extremists
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers arrested eight suspected extremists during ongoing operations in the Rashid District Feb. 1 and 2.
“Raiders,” from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, MND-B, detained three men thought to be members of a Sunni extremist improvised-explosive device cell during a raid in Doura, Feb. 1.
During a raid in the early hours of Feb. 2, the “Black Lions” of Company B, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th IBCT, arrested three alleged special group cell members -- one believed to be a cell leader from Rusafa.
Soldiers from Company A, 1st Bn., 28th Inf., captured a suspected special group cell members thought to be involved with weapons trafficking during a morning raid in Aamel. In Doura that morning, Soldiers from Troop B, 1-4 Cav. Regt., arrested a man believed to be involved in an al Qaeda IED cell.
Coalition targets weapons, foreign terrorist facilitators; eight suspects detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq.
During an operation in Ad Dawr, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons facilitator. The suspect reportedly sells artillery rounds and improvised explosive devices in the Ad Dawr and Tikrit area. He is also believed to be associated with the alleged former leader of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in the city who was detained Jan. 26. During the course of operations the suspect was injured, treated on site and subsequently detained.
In Tikrit, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member also involved in the facilitation of weapons and terrorists, terrorist financing, and coordinating attacks against Concerned Local Citizen groups and Coalition forces. Reports indicate the suspect is associated with an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Salah ad Din network, and a Moroccan foreign terrorist facilitator who was killed during an operation in September. The ground force detained one suspected terrorist in addition to the wanted individual.
Coalition forces continued to degrade the weapons facilitation network in Tikrit, capturing another alleged facilitator and two additional suspects in the city. The wanted individual is reportedly a member of the Islamic Army and is believed to maintain weapons caches in the area.
During an operation in southwest Mosul, two suspected terrorists were detained, to include a suspected associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the city. The alleged terrorist leader is believed to be responsible for a group of foreign terrorists and suicide bombers operating in the area. Reports indicate the group was responsible for the attack that resulted in the death of five Coalition Soldiers Jan. 28.
Iraqi SWAT detains 28 suspects, kills seven terrorists in operations targeting AQI
BAGHDAD – The Al Hillah Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics unit, with U.S. Special Forces advisors, arrested 28 suspects during air assault operations targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network near Salman Pak Feb. 3.
During the operation, Iraqi and U.S. Forces killed seven terrorists and wounded one.
Hillah SWAT launched the mission to capture an al-Qaeda commander who led operations in Al-Suwayrah, south of Baghdad. According to credible intelligence, he conducted financial transactions for the terrorist group and recruited foreign fighters, including women, to attack Iraqi citizens, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces with improvised explosive devices and small-arms attacks.
Reports indicate he ordered a female suicide bomber to attack a religious gathering in Diyala Province Jan. 16. Also targeted was an AQI cell that builds vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
The cell is reportedly responsible for six attacks against Coalition and Iraqi Forces, as well as the murder of four Iraqi citizens.
Iraqi and U.S. Forces landed at multiple helicopter landing zones, moved to several objectives and entered multiple residences during the operation. During the operation, as two enemy fighters were observed maneuvering tactically against one of the HLZs, they were engaged by a Coalition Forces aerial weapons team and killed.
Ground forces received small-arms fire during entry into one structure. One U.S. Special Forces Soldier disarmed an enemy fighter and rendered first aid to him for a hand wound.
Five enemy fighters observed maneuvering from structure to structure to flank ground forces were engaged and killed.
Moving to another structure, ground forces came under heavy small-arms fire. Ground forces returned fire and entered the structure. Upon entry, ground forces secured and detained eight males.
During a search of the building, ground forces found hand grenades and a suicide vest IED.
Ground forces detained 28 suspects for further questioning.
