Good News From The War On Terror 3/1-2
Coalition forces capture Special Groups facilitator, detain three other suspects
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured an alleged Special Groups facilitator and detained three other suspected criminals early today in Baghdad.
The targeted individual was reportedly an Iranian-trained sniper instructor involved in attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces. He reportedly coordinated and facilitated Special Groups militia training in Iran on the use of explosively formed penetrators. Reports indicate he was an associate of several Special Groups criminal leaders involved in attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces.
Intelligence led ground forces to the target area, where they captured the wanted individual and the three other suspected criminals without incident. During the operation, Coalition forces also discovered two assault rifles.
Weapons and foreign terrorist facilitation networks targeted; six killed, 13 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 13 suspects Friday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.
During a series of operations Friday, Coalition forces targeted alleged associates of the Samarra al-Qaeda in Iraq network’s senior leader. Intelligence led Coalition forces east of the city to a location where the associates were believed to be operating. Coalition forces observed several vehicles containing suspects departing the target area. The assault force attempted to stop the vehicles, but they refused to comply with instructions. The assault force followed escalation of force procedures, eventually firing on the vehicles to stop them. Six terrorists were killed and four vehicles were destroyed as a result of the engagement. Coalition forces also detained one suspect on site and recovered several weapons.
North of Tarmiyah today, Coalition forces captured an alleged weapons dealer reportedly associated with the northern belt al-Qaeda in Iraq network senior leader. The network is responsible for the majority of improvised explosive device attacks in the area, and is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force and was detained along with three suspected terrorists.
During separate operations west of Samarra and in Sharqat, three suspected terrorists were detained today while Coalition forces targeted associates involved in the facilitation of finances and weapons for the al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in Samarra and Mosul.
In northern Iraq, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists during two precision operations. In southeast Mosul Friday, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists while targeting a weapons facilitator for the al-Qaeda in Iraq networks throughout the city. Another suspect was detained west of Shammar Jarbah today, during operations targeting an associate of a senior level foreign terrorist facilitator.
Coalition forces conducted an operation Thursday and Friday east of Tikrit, near the Hamrin Mountains, targeting associates involved in an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq training facility and media network. The ground force detained two suspected terrorists, and found a weapons cache and various terrorist propaganda materials hidden behind a wall in one of the target buildings. The cache included several machine guns, a rocket propelled grenade launcher, blasting caps, improvised explosive device materials and ammunition. While they were clearing the area, Coalition forces also found and destroyed an IED to eliminate the threat to Iraqi civilians and military forces operating in the area.
Iraqi SWAT and U.S. Special Forces detain three following operation in Mosul
BALAD, Iraq – An Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics team, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained the alleged leader of an assassination and improvised explosive device cell Feb. 29 during operations in northeast Mosul.
Two other suspected terrorists were also detained.
ISWAT conducted operations in Mosul to disrupt the facilitation of IED attacks throughout the area.
Local man discovers large cache in barn after return home
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – MND-C Soldiers discovered a large weapons cache Feb. 28 thanks to a tip from an Iraqi citizen who recently returned to southern Arab Jabour.
The man, driven from his home by al Qaeda in Iraq, recently returned to the area thanks to the efforts of Abna al-Iraq or Sons of Iraq, and Soldiers of the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
The man, whose son is a member of the SOI, located the cache while removing debris from his barn. He noticed discoloration in the dirt and reported his find to Soldiers at Patrol Base Meade.
Approximately five feet underground, Soldiers and local volunteers discovered six 55-gallon drums containing 50 rocket-propelled grenade warheads, an RPG launcher, 200 rounds of 37 mm ammunition, 500 rounds of 23 mm ammunition and 2,000 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition among other munitions.
Besides providing for the safety of the community, the man was also compensated for cache find. In a show of good will, the man split the reward with the other local men who helped with the cache recovery.
Coalition captures IED facilitator near Baghdad, 19 other suspects detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 20 suspected terrorists Saturday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
East of Baghdad this morning, Coalition forces captured an alleged improvised explosive device facilitator associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq networks throughout the capital city. The suspect is reportedly involved in a facilitation network supplying explosive materials to the leader of a central Baghdad AQI network, who is a close associate of the overall senior leader for the city’s AQI networks. The suspect is also believed to be a close associate and alleged relative of the leader of the Bizayz terrorist network, which operates south of Baqubah and east of Kahn Bani Sa’ad. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained nine suspected terrorists on site. Coalition forces detained an additional suspect nearby, on the west side of Baghdad, while targeting an associate of an AQI senior leader.
In Sharqat, Coalition forces conducted operations today targeting two alleged AQI leaders involved in the network in the city. The ground force captured one of the wanted suspects, who reportedly served as a leader in the Bayji AQI network and led an assassination cell in the region. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained five suspected terrorists during the operations.
During an operation in east Mosul Saturday, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists while targeting associates of Jar Allah, the Saudi AQI leader and foreign terrorist facilitator, and his associate Hamdan, who were killed during an operation Feb. 27.
ANSF, Coalition forces recover weapons caches in Nangarhar
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Recently, Afghans provided information leading to the recovery of a suspected insurgent weapons cache in Zawa Village of Khogyani District, Nangarhar Province, near the Pakistan Border.
The cache, recovered Jan. 16, consisted of 93 recoilless-rifle rounds. Insurgents frequently use these weapons to attack Afghan National Security Forces or Coalition forces, or terrorize Afghan citizens throughout the province.According to a Coalition soldier, the weapons found were in good condition.
Afghan, Coalition forces disrupt Taliban leadership networks
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Six suspected insurgents were detained Feb. 29 during an Afghan National Security and Coalition forces operation in Zabul province to disrupt Taliban command and control networks.
The joint force performed a search of compounds in the Deh Chopan district targeting a Taliban commander with ties to Taliban support networks and weapons facilitation operations in the area.
Afghan and Coalition forces found and detained six individuals with suspected links to insurgent networks while conducting their search. The detainees will be questioned on their involvement in Taliban operations as well as other extremist activities.
