Good News From The War On Terror 2/6-7
3 suspected extremists arrested in Rashid
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers arrested three suspected Sunni extremists Feb. 3 during operations across the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital.
Policemen from 1st Brigade, 7th Iraqi National Police Division, arrested a man believed to be an al-Qaeda operative after he tried to pass through a traffic control checkpoint in Massafee.
The man, suspected of murder, placing improvised explosive devices and weapons trafficking, was taken to an Iraqi facility for further questioning.
Earlier in the day, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, MND-B, captured two suspected AQI cell members in two separate raids in Doura.
During the first raid, Company B Soldiers knocked on the door of home believed to be an AQI sniper, and arrested a man matching the extremist’s name and description. The man is accused of setting up false checkpoints to kidnap Shia and Christian Iraqis in the Arab Jabour region of the city.
Later, Company C Soldiers arrested a man accused of murder, forcibly displacing families and placing IEDs in the Doura area.
Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda in Iraq networks; one terrorist killed, 12 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 12 suspects Wednesday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq.
During two coordinated operations in Mosul Wednesday and today, Coalition forces targeted associates of a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitator. The terrorist leader reportedly leads a group of foreign terrorists and suicide bombers who are responsible for the attack that resulted in the death of five Coalition soldiers Jan. 28.
Reports led Coalition forces to an area where one of the suspects was believed to be operating and one terrorist was killed. Coalition forces also destroyed a vehicle in the target area to prevent its further use for terrorist operations. In the eastern portion of the city, Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists for their alleged association with the terrorist leader.
In Bayji today, Coalition forces captured an individual who is allegedly an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader involved in the city's terrorist network. The suspect reportedly leads and coordinates attacks on Coalition forces operating in the region. He is also believed to be a close associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader for the network, as well as a member of an anti-Coalition forces group active in the region. A group of Concerned Local Citizens led the ground force to the location where the individual was operating and he was subsequently detained along with one additional suspect.
During an operation in Tikrit this morning, Coalition forces captured an alleged member of an al-Qaeda in Iraq media and propaganda cell with suspected ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership. Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists in addition to the wanted suspect.
Coalition finds cache, disrupts al-Qaeda network; five terrorists killed
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and discovered a weapons cache during operations Wednesday and today to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.
During continued efforts in the Diyala River Valley, Coalition forces conducted an operation northeast of al-Khalis Wednesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq associates involved in weapons smuggling and attacks again Coalition forces. Reports indicate that Coalition success in degrading the networks in Baghdad has pushed groups of al-Qaeda into the Diyala River Valley, where they are seeking safe haven.
Coalition forces confirmed the presence of enemy personnel in the target area, and called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing five terrorists. As the ground force cleared the area, they discovered numerous weapons, to include 12 machine guns and ammunition, multiple mortar tubes, two anti-aircraft weapons and multiple rocket-propelled grenades. The weapons were safely destroyed, along with a vehicle in the target area, to prevent future use for terrorist activity.
While conducting a boat patrol south of Baghdad today, Coalition forces were engaged by small-arms fire. They returned fire in self-defense and called supporting aircraft to engage. Following the engagement, ground forces arrived to assess the scene and discovered that the location where the small-arms fire originated was a Concerned Local Citizens check point. The CLC unit had mistakenly fired on Coalition forces, who followed proper self-defense measures in response to the threat. The building next to the check point was struck by the supporting aircraft fire, killing an Iraqi civilian and damaging the building.
Two ton explosives cache found in Salah ad Din province
BAYJI, Iraq – Iraqi Police, Sons of Iraq and Coalition Forces discovered a 4,400 pound cache of explosives, in Salah ad Din province during a joint operation, Feb. 6.
Iraqi Police and SOI noticed freshly disturbed dirt off an unimproved road. Coalition Forces investigated the site with IP and SOI assistance. Buried under a hidden tarp were 40 bags filled with a mixture of ammonia nitrate and cocoa powder, each weighing approximately 110 pounds or 50 kilograms. This mixture is commonly used as a homemade explosive commonly used by al-Qaeda in Iraq.
