Good News From The War On Terror 2/28-29
Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda operations; two killed, 15 detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 15 suspects Wednesday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern and central Iraq.
During an operation Wednesday afternoon in Mosul, Coalition forces killed two wanted terrorists involved in foreign terrorist facilitation and conducting attacks against Coalition and Iraqi forces. Coalition forces confirmed the location of the wanted individuals and directed a precision helicopter strike, killing two terrorists and destroying their vehicle.
Today in Mosul, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq associates involved in suicide bombing operations, weapons facilitation, and attacks against Coalition forces.
During coordinated operations in Baghdad this morning, Coalition forces captured an alleged cell leader associated with the Karkh and Mansour al-Qaeda in Iraq networks. The suspect is allegedly responsible for high-profile kidnappings and assassinations in the region, including attacks targeting Concerned Local Citizens. The suspect is reportedly a close associate of numerous senior leaders in Baghdad, to include one who was detained Feb. 17 for his involvement in the Karkh AQI network. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists during the operation.
Southwest of Mahmudiyah today, Coalition forces captured an alleged vehicle-borne improvised explosive device facilitator for the southern belt AQI network. The suspect is reportedly associated with several recently detained senior network leaders. Coalition force operations in Baghdad have severely disrupted the VBIED network.
Four suspects were detained this morning west of Taji and in Samarra during operations targeting alleged associates of the al-Anbar AQI propaganda network and a suspected weapons facilitator.
Also, east of Samarra in Karwi, Coalition forces conducted an operation today targeting an alleged AQI associate involved in weapons smuggling, kidnappings and attacks against Coalition forces. Three suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.
Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda in Iraq network; five terrorists killed, 22 suspects detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained 22 suspects Thursday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation east of Khan Bani Sad this morning, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq facilitator associated with a member of the Baqouba improvised explosive device and suicide bombing network. As the ground force arrived in the area, they called for occupants of the target building to come out. The ground force was then engaged by enemy fire and returned fire in self-defense, killing five terrorists. An Iraqi child was wounded during the engagement, received treatment on site and was transported to a nearby medical facility for further care.
As the ground force cleared the building, they discovered numerous IED materials, to include crush wire, pressure plates and circuit boards. Once the area was secure, supporting fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft were called to destroy the building to prevent further use by terrorists and eliminate any threat to locals in the area. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists on site.
During a supported operation in Baghdad today, intelligence reports led Coalition and Iraqi forces to a mosque compound. After obtaining proper approval, Iraqi forces entered the compound and detained a wanted individual who was hiding inside, along with one additional suspect. The individual was captured without incident, no damage occurred to the mosque compound as a result of the operation and Coalition forces did not enter the compound. As they secured the area, the ground force also discovered a cache of urea, a common precursor for homemade explosive materials.
The captured wanted individual is an alleged AQI weapons facilitator. The suspect was allegedly involved in the facilitation of IEDs, and vehicle and suicide bombers for use by terrorist networks throughout the capital city region. He is also believed to be a direct associate of several alleged facilitators operating inside and outside of Iraq, to include several who have been detained by Coalition forces within the last month.
Southeast of Samarra this morning, Coalition forces detained four suspects to include an alleged associate of the terrorist network in the city. Reports indicate the suspect is associated with the leader of the AQI network in Jalam, who was detained Feb. 19 for his involvement in kidnappings and the facilitation of finances for terrorist operations. The suspect is also allegedly tied to two senior leaders in the Samarra AQI network, who were killed Feb. 2.
During operations in northern Iraq today, Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists. Southeast of Mosul near Salamiyah, four suspects where detained during an operation targeting a foreign terrorist associated with mortar and suicide operations, weapons facilitation and attacks against Coalition forces. Another two suspects were detained northwest of Bi’aj during an operation targeting an associate of a senior level foreign terrorist facilitator.
In other operations Thursday, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist north of Samarra while targeting an alleged AQI associate involved in IED attacks and foreign terrorist facilitation.
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces advising, detained a suspected criminal element leader and two suspected cell members in separate operations Feb. 28.
In Baghdad, an Iraqi Special Operations Forces team detained the alleged deputy company commander of a criminal group of approximately 100 people.
The suspect and his criminal organization are believed to be responsible for mortar and improvised explosive device attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces.
According to intelligence reports, they are also involved in the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi citizens.
In Fahama, near Baghdad, soldiers from the 9th Iraqi Army Division detained two suspected criminal in an operation targeting Al Qaeda in Iraq activities.
The suspects are believed to be active members of a cell facilitating the movement of arms, ammunition and equipment for use in attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces.
One of the suspects is also a known improvised explosive device triggerman.
