Good News From The War On Terror 3/7
Coalition targets al-Qaeda in northern Iraq; one killed, five detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained five suspects Thursday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq.
In northeast Mosul Thursday, Coalition forces targeted a suspect believed to be the replacement for the former Saudi al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader and foreign terrorist facilitator Abu Yasir al-Saudi, also known as Jar Allah, who was killed by Coalition forces Feb. 27. Reports indicate the targeted individual is involved in coordinating attacks and kidnappings in the area.
Coalition forces followed a vehicle associated with the targeted suspect to a nearby house, where they observed the driver and passenger get out. As the ground force arrived in the area, one of the individuals attempted to shoot at them. Coalition forces engaged the hostile threat, wounding him. The suspect, who was armed with pistols and a grenade, was subsequently detained, treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care.
Coalition forces returned to the same area today and captured an alleged senior leader for the terrorist network operating on the east side of the city. Intelligence indicates the suspect is involved in the facilitation and distribution of weapons throughout east Mosul, and oversees several other AQI members. One of his subordinates is reportedly responsible for the production of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two other suspected terrorists.
Coalition forces conducted an operation north of Tall Afar near Tall Wardan today, targeting an alleged senior level foreign terrorist facilitator associated with numerous AQI senior leaders operating inside and outside of Iraq. During the operation, the ground force called for the suspected terrorists occupying the target building to come out. They did not comply with instructions or heed warnings. Coalition forces perceived hostile intent from the noncompliant suspects and engaged, killing one and wounding another. The wounded suspect was subsequently detained, treated on site and transported to a medical facility for further care.
Coalition forces capture Special Groups facilitator, kill armed criminal
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups facilitator and killed an armed criminal here early this morning.
The targeted individual was reportedly an Iranian-backed Special Groups facilitator who arranged for Special Groups criminal militia members to receive training in Iran. The training prepared Special Groups criminals for sniper, improvised explosive device and explosively formed penetrator attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. As a facilitator, he reportedly coordinated Special Groups funding, training and weapons. Reports also indicate the wanted individual was an associate of Iranian-backed Special Groups criminals involved in attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces.
Upon arrival at the target area, Coalition forces were engaged by an armed man with an assault rifle. Coalition forces returned fire in self-defense, killing the criminal. Coalition forces continued the operation, capturing the wanted individual without further incident.
Al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq disrupted; eight killed, 17 detained
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed eight terrorists and detained 17 suspects Thursday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.
Northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains today, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Kanan village. The targeted individual is reportedly associated with numerous AQI members in the region. During the operation, the ground force called for the occupants of several target buildings to come out and observed them attempting to engage the ground force. Coalition forces responded to the threat, killing four terrorists, including the wanted individual. The ground force secured the building where the wanted individual was located and discovered a cache of Urea, a common precursor for homemade explosive materials.
As Coalition forces continued to clear additional buildings in the target area, they encountered armed enemy personnel attempting to maneuver on their position. Responding to the perceived threat, the ground force engaged, killing another four terrorists. Once the target area was secure, Coalition forces safely destroyed two buildings which contained the Urea and a cache of weapons, to prevent further use for terrorist attacks. Seven suspected terrorists were also detained during the operation.
During two additional coordinated operations in Samarra this morning, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists, including two wanted individuals. One of the suspects is an alleged leader for the Samarra AQI network and close associate to the senior leader, providing his residence as a bed down location for the leader’s family. Also, the suspect’s son is reportedly involved in VBIED attacks and part of the cell in the region. The other wanted individual, detained nearby, is reportedly a direct associate of AQI senior leadership, including members of the senior leader’s inner circle.
North of Tarmiyah today, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of the AQI northern belt network. 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 suspected terrorist is reportedly responsible for providing information on Coalition operations in the area for use in planning attacks. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.
Coalition forces captured another alleged associate of the northern belt AQI network during an operation in Baghdad today. Reports indicate the suspect has direct ties to the senior leader of the network and to numerous terrorists involved in the VBIED network in Karkh. The suspect is also allegedly responsible for forging identification documents for numerous AQI members in the region.
On Thursday, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorist during an operation east of Tikrit, near the Hamrin Mountains, targeting an alleged AQI weapons facilitator involved in smuggling and kidnapping operations.
Tal Afar SWAT, U.S. Special Forces recover weapons cache near suspected AQI training camp
BALAD, Iraq – The Tal Afar Special Weapons and Tactics team and U.S. Special Forces recovered a weapons and munitions cache near a suspected terrorist training camp south of Tal Afar March 4.
Tal Afar SWAT and U.S. SF conducted an operation to recover a suspected cache connected with recent al Qaeda in Iraq activity in the area. The cache was discovered near a suspected AQI training camp that was the scene of a Tal Afar SWAT and U.S. SF operation March 2. The operation to disrupt AQI activity in the area resulted in nine terrorists being killed and eight suspected terrorists detained.
The cache was located in an abandoned village near the training camp. After investigating the buildings and surrounding area, SWAT and U.S. SF discovered the weapons and munitions in several underground hiding places.
SWAT and U.S. SF recovered more than 700 lbs of home-made explosives; 11 120mm high-explosive mortar rounds; two AK-47 assault rifles; seven sights for RPG-7 rocket launchers; two Russian 120mm mortar rounds; one 122mm Chinese high explosive mortar round; 10, 82mm Chinese high explosive mortar rounds; 100 pounds of mortar propellant charges; two Belgian anti-personnel landmines; and various fuses.
The weapons and munitions were destroyed on-site by a Coalition Forces explosive ordnance disposal team.
