Good News From The War On Terror 3/19-20
Coalition detains 17 suspects while targeting terrorist networks
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained 17 suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and weapons facilitators during operations Tuesday and today in the Tigris River Valley.
In Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda operative believed to be part of the network distributing homemade explosives materials and products throughout the country. The ground forces detained two additional suspects at the scene.
Another alleged weapons facilitator and an associate were captured during a Coalition operation this morning north of Samarra. The targeted individual has allegedly been stockpiling weapons for the last month.
Coalition forces targeted alleged associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in Taji and Baqouba, capturing two wanted individuals and detaining six suspected terrorists today. In Baqouba, Coalition forces discovered a building containing homemade explosives, wires, markings and other indications it was being made into a house-borne improvised explosive device. The ground forces destroyed the building to prevent future use for terrorist activity.
In Mosul, Coalition forces conducted operations Tuesday and today, detaining four individuals with suspected ties to terrorist leaders in the area.
MND-C Soldiers detain key criminal suspect, three additional suspects (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team captured a wanted criminal suspect during an operation in Narhwan March 16.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, cleared three houses during the mission and detained an additional three suspects for questioning.
The detained individual was wanted by Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces for his alleged role in several improvised explosive device attacks.
He is suspected of smuggling weapons and explosives for several criminal groups throughout Iraq.
Soldiers uncovered a small cache in the suspect’s home containing an AK-47 assault rifle, two shotguns, a bayonet and a small quantity of small-arms ammunition.
Joint operations in Mosul detain 16
TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Security and Coalition forces detained 16 suspected terrorists in four separate operations in western Mosul, March 18.
The ISF and CF have been focusing on eliminating al Qaeda in Iraq cells in western Mosul, a hot-bed of insurgent activities.
Coalition target roadside bombers, seven terrorists killed
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed seven terrorists and detained 20 suspected terrorists during operations in central and northern Iraq Wednesday and today.
Coalition forces targeted several suspected improvised explosive device emplacers southwest of Samarra Wednesday. During the operation, Coalition forces engaged two terrorists observed planting an IED in the road, killing them. The assault force also engaged a vehicle believed to be associated with the group. Coalition forces were engaged by small-arms fire by one of the occupants. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire, killing four terrorists. The vehicle, which contained rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, land mines, homemade explosives and other IED-making materials, was destroyed by a fixed-wing aircraft to prevent further use for terrorist activity.
Coalition forces stopped another vehicle nearby with two men inside. One exited the vehicle and drew his weapon. Coalition forces perceived hostile intent from the armed man and killed him. The other man surrendered to the assault force and was detained.
Coalition forces conducted a precision raid in Baghdad today, capturing an alleged member of a bombing network that supplies suicide vests for attacks against Iraqis. During another operation targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq bombing network, Coalition forces captured an alleged IED attack coordinator and another suspect in Sharquat.
In the northwest Iraq town of Bi’aj this morning, Coalition forces captured an alleged operative in the foreign terrorist facilitation network, and in Mosul, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist allegedly linked to AQI senior leaders.
In operations targeting a suicide bomber network in Baqouba, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and detained two suspected terrorists Wednesday and six suspected terrorists during a related operation today.
Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists today when an operation southwest of Tikrit targeting the AQI media network turned up a small weapons cache and IED-building materials.
‘Tuskers’ detain five suspected terrorists (Baghdad)
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained five suspected terrorists in West Rashid in southern Baghdad March 18.
Acting on a tip, Soldiers of Company B, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, attached to Task Force Dragon, arrested the five suspects in the Risalah neighborhood within Rashid District.
The men are believed to be associated with those responsible for an attack on Coalition forces March 15.
Two AK-47s and a radio were confiscated during the arrest.
The detainees were taken to a Coalition force detention facility for further questioning.
Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces recover large weapons cache (Hawijah)
BALAD, Iraq – The 4th Iraqi Division Army, advised by U.S. Special Forces, recovered a large weapons cache linked to al Qaeda in Iraq during an operation in Hawijah, Kirkuk province, March 16.
Acting on intelligence reports, Iraqi Scouts and U.S. SF conducted a combined patrol where a cache was reported to be hidden.
This operation led to approximately 150 munitions and explosive devices being uncovered, along with more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition and a large amount of AQI propaganda.
Also recovered were several pamphlets on improvised explosive device construction. The propaganda, comprised of DVDs, cassette tapes and pamphlets, and other documents linked the cache to AQI and foreign fighters traveling from Syria into Iraq.
The cache included four suicide vests, 24 rocket propelled grenades, 61 60mm mortar rounds, nine 120mm mortar rounds, 45 81mm mortar rounds, two 155mm artillery rounds, five grenades, two pressure wire initiation systems, six RPG launchers, two machine guns, a 60mm mortar system, 100 feet of detonation cord, blasting caps, several cell phones and radios for initiating IEDs, and more than 100 pieces of material used for constructing IEDs and their initiation systems.
ISF detain 10 in overnight operations (Iskandariyah)
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained five suspected insurgents and five additional suspects during three separate operations March 17.
In Iskandariyah, the Hillah Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics unit captured three suspected insurgents who are believed to be responsible for a suicide attack at an apartment complex in the city. According to intelligence reports, the suspects also participated in attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces in Babel province.
Three additional suspects are being detained for questioning.
In Mosul, Ninewa ISWAT unit detained a suspected terrorist with ties to Al Qaeda in Iraq groups in the Kirkuk area. The suspect is reported to have knowledge concerning the transport and facilitation of foreign fighters and suicide bombers.
He is also accused of helping the financing of attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces.
Two other suspects are being detained for questioning.
South of Suwayrah, 8th Iraqi Army Division Soldiers detained a suspected member of a vehicle-born improvised explosive device cell. Members of this cell have been linked to attacking Iraqi and Coalition forces in Babil and Wasit provinces.
Baquba Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics unit, U.S. Special Forces detain 25 suspects
BALAD, Iraq – The Baquba Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics unit, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained 25 suspected insurgents in an operation March 17 near Baquba.
Acting on intelligence reports, Baqubah ISWAT conducted an operation to investigate possible al Qaeda in Iraq prisons which may have held kidnapped civilians.
As part of the operation, six individuals were identified as having ties with AQI with an additional 19 suspects being held for questioning.
A large quantity of Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police equipment was also found at the site, as well as a significant amount of improvised explosive device materials.
