Good News From The War On Terror 3/15-18
Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda networks throughout Iraq, 15 detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained 15 suspected terrorists Saturday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation in Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader responsible for terrorist propaganda operations. The suspect is also believed to be involved in propaganda activities and connected to various other associates of the AQI network in Baghdad. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists on site.
Also in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured two alleged associates of vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cells in the capital city Saturday. Reports indicate the suspects are connected to various AQI leaders throughout the capital city. Intelligence reports led the ground force to the location where one of the wanted individuals was believed to be operating and he was detained without incident. The first suspect then led Coalition forces to a follow-on location, where the other wanted individual was detained.
During continued efforts to degrade the AQI networks in northern Iraq, Coalition forces detained five suspects today during two separate operations. In Mosul, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists while targeting an alleged associate of several leaders involved in the city’s AQI network. Another three suspects were detained west of Bi’aj, while targeting an alleged associate of a foreign terrorist facilitation network in the region.
Coalition disrupts al-Qaeda networks across Iraq, 27 suspects detained (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained 27 suspected terrorists today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation east of Sharqat, Coalition forces captured an alleged weapons facilitator associated with the AQI networks in northern Iraq. The suspect is also believed to be a close associate of the AQI leader for the network in al-Abassi. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained nine suspected terrorists and found 1,000 pounds of homemade explosive materials, which were safely destroyed on site along with three buildings believed to be used for terrorist activity.
In Baghdad, Coalition forces detained two alleged AQI leaders for the networks in Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk. The suspects are believed to be involved in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cell that operates in the region. Reports indicate the suspects are responsible for several recent attacks in Sulaymaniyah, to include a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device that struck a hotel in the city March 10, resulting in one Iraqi civilian killed and 29 wounded.
Northeast of Taji, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of several members of the northern belt AQI network, to include a leader responsible for carrying out punishment for an illegal terrorist court system. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained one suspect and destroyed a vehicle and bomb-making materials found on site.
During a series of operations northwest of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists to include two wanted individuals allegedly associated with AQI media and propaganda operations. The suspects are also believed to be connected to the AQI media cell leader in al-Anbar Province.
Further north, Coalition forces conducted three coordinated operations in Mosul targeting associates of AQI operating in the area. The ground force detained nine suspected terrorists on site, to include three wanted individuals with suspected connections to an AQI senior leader. Two of the suspects are believed to be involved in an AQI affiliated insurgent group in the region and the facilitation of suicide vests, while another is allegedly involved with a foreign terrorist leader in the city.
Seven killed, eight detained during Coalition operations targeting al-Qaeda
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed seven terrorists and detained eight suspects Monday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
During an operation north of al-Mansuriyah in the Hamrin Mountains, Coalition forces targeted alleged associates of a suicide bombing cell for al-Qaeda in Iraq operating in the Diyala River Valley. Reports indicate the individuals were associated with terrorists throughout the Hamrin Mountains region believed to be planning an upcoming suicide attack, and with terrorists killed during Coalition forces operations March 14 and 16.
Intelligence reports led Coalition forces to a location where the individuals were believed to be operating. The assault force observed five armed men who did not comply with directions or heed warnings. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged the armed men, killing them. Secondary explosions were observed inside their vehicle indicating explosive materials were likely inside.
East of Samarra near Shuzayf, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged AQI associate involved in foreign terrorist facilitation, and smuggling weapons and improvised explosive device materials into the Diyala River Valley. Reports indicate the targeted individual is also associated with terrorists killed during operations March 5 and 9.
Intelligence reports led Coalition forces to a location where the targeted individual was believed to be operating. Two armed individuals were observed in the target location. The armed men, one of whom was the targeted individual, ignored Coalition forces warnings and were subsequently engaged and killed. Upon securing the area, Coalition forces found two AK-47 machine guns, a pistol, hand grenades and IED making materials, which were destroyed on site to prevent future use for terrorist activity.
During an operation in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist believed to be a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device maker involved in the south Karkh network and an associate of senior terrorist leaders for the region. The suspect was allegedly responsible for attacks against Iraqi civilians and Coalition forces, including the VBIED attacks Feb. 11 on the Karada peninsula that killed 15 Iraqis and the March 10 suicide bomber attack in Mansour that killed five U.S. soldiers. Intelligence indicates the suspect was planning similar attacks in the future. During the operation, the wanted individual was wounded. He received medical care on site and was transferred to a military medical facility for further treatment prior to being detained.
In west Mosul, Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists believed to be associated with senior terrorist leaders and foreign terrorist facilitators in the region.
Two terrorists killed, 23 suspects detained in Coalition operations
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 23 suspects today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.
Coalition forces killed two terrorists and wounded two of their alleged associates during coordinated operations targeting a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq propaganda network southwest of Samarra. When the ground forces approached the target building, several occupants refused to follow Coalition forces’ instructions to come out. Coalition forces perceived hostile intent from the resistors and engaged them, killing two and wounding two, who were subsequently detained. In addition to the wounded individuals, 11 other suspected terrorists were detained, and Coalition forces discovered hidden weapons and media materials on scene.
In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted suspect who is allegedly part of a homemade explosives facilitation ring and is believed to have terrorist connections in the region. The ground forces also captured two additional suspected terrorists.
Coalition forces continued to target terrorist leaders in the Mosul area, capturing an alleged AQI leader for the network operating in East Mosul and one other suspect during operations.
A Coalition operation in northwest Iraq netted three suspected terrorists, including an individual who allegedly helps move al-Qaeda foreign terrorist fighters into Iraq. Further east, Coalition forces targeted a suspected AQI operative in the Hamrin Mountains region and detained two suspected terrorists.
