More On The 10,000 Soldier Baghdad Area Surge

Start of ‘Arrowhead Ripper’ Highlights Iraq Operations

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2007 – The beginning of a new offensive targeting al Qaeda in the Iraqi city of Baqubah highlights recent operations reported by military officials in Iraq. Troops began Operation Arrowhead Ripper in Baqubah today, killing 22 insurgents in a large-scale effort to eliminate al Qaeda members. The 2nd Infantry Division’s 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team launched the offensive with a quick-strike night air assault early this morning. By daylight, attack helicopters and ground forces had engaged and killed the enemy fighters in and around Baqubah. About 10,000 soldiers, with a full complement of attack helicopters, close-air support, Strykers and Bradley fighting vehicles, are taking part in Arrowhead Ripper, which is still in its opening stages. Elements of the 1st Cavalry Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team from Fort Hood, Texas, the 2nd Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team from Fort Lewis, Wash., and the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, also are participating in the operation. In a separate operation south of Baghdad today, coalition forces raided a series of buildings targeting associates of an al Qaeda emir in the area. As ground forces approached the buildings, a man ran out of the house and rushed toward coalition forces, ignoring the soldiers’ translator's instructions to stop. Coalition forces, reacting to the perceived hostile threat, shot and killed the man. Inside the building, coalition forces detained a suspected terrorist with alleged ties to the targeted emir, military officials said. Additionally, coalition forces captured a suspected associate of senior al Qaeda leaders in the Iraqi capital today, and detained three suspects with alleged ties to terrorist leaders. Troops also found a small weapons cache. In Anbar province, two separate coalition operations today netted six suspected terrorists associated with senior al Qaeda leaders, officials said. Troops nabbed three individuals south of Fallujah for their alleged involvement in planting improvised explosive devices and organizing terrorist groups in the area. Forces detained three suspects with alleged ties to terrorist leaders west of Tarmiyah. During two operations in Mosul today, coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists in raids targeting individuals involved in a terrorist cell responsible for hijacking and kidnapping operations, and financing terrorist activities. Soldiers from the 5th Iraqi Army Division killed four extremist gunmen and detained two others during two engagements in Baqubah yesterday. In a separate engagement nearby, coalition attack helicopters from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and coalition ground forces identified four extremists operating in a wooded area. Attack helicopters engaged and killed the four extremists. Coalition forces raided a building in Baghdad yesterday and captured a suspected terrorist linked to a car bomb network. The detainee allegedly obtains supplies and components for the car bomb network. On June 17, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained six suspects at an alleged IED cell site near Abu Saida. While searching the area, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, detained the men allegedly responsible for recent attacks on civilians, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces in the area, officials said. In the village of Duraiya the same day, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, detained five suspects and seized a rifle. The unit's mission, according to the battalion’s leaders, was to disrupt key insurgent networks in the battalion's area of operation. As a part of the Multinational Division Center's Operation Marne Torch, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, soldiers have begun aggressive operations to eliminate insurgent sanctuaries southeast of Baghdad. The battalion has conducted three air assault missions in the last 12 days to eliminate or deter destabilizing influences in the region. In other news, troops seized multiple caches June 17 near Tuwaitha as part of a coalition force effort to eliminate insurgent sanctuaries southeast of the Iraqi capital. Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, who are currently attached to 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, detained four individuals. Two detainees told coalition forces the locations of multiple cache sites, which contained 29 cell phones, three AK-47 assault rifles, body armor and ammunition.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Troop Surge

Freedom Watch Afghanistan 06/19/07

This edition features stories on a member of the Afghan National Parliament visiting Afghan patients at Bagram Air Field, U.S. Soldiers patrolling a valley in eastern Afghanistan and U.S. Sailors at Bagram providing survival packs for pilots of the Prowler aircraft. Hosted by Senior Airman Sarah Mihlfeld.

 

Technorati tags: Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition, War on Terror

Fred's Ahead In Rasmussen Poll

Fred! 28% Giuliani 27%

There’s change at the top in the race for the Republican Presidential nomination. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson earning support from 28% of Likely Republican Primary Voters. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani attracts support from 27%. While Thompson’s one-point edge is statistically insignificant, it is the first time all year that anybody but Giuliani has been on top in Rasmussen Reports polling. A week ago, Thompson and Giuliani were tied at 24%.

YAY! for Fred!

 

Technorati tags: Fred!, Fred Thompson, Rasmussen, Poll, Giuliani, Presidential Candidates, Republicans

Good News From The War On Terror 6/18

IRAQI SECURITY FORCES DETAIN FOUR SUSPECTED TERRORISTS DURING RAID IN SAMARRA

SAMARRA - Iraqi Security Forces, who were sent to Samarra by the Prime Minister to establish security in the wake of the June 13 Askariya Mosque bombing, conducted an operation and detained four suspected terrorists who are believed to have information regarding the attack. The four individuals are believed to be linked to the recent bombing and other criminal activity in Samarra. Acting on previous intelligence, Iraqi Security Forces raided the target building and detained the four individuals without incident. Iraqi forces also seized several documents of propaganda, a CD showing attacks against Coalition Forces, several cell phones, 10-feet of detonation cord, 81 blasting caps, identification cards for Askariya Mosque access and multiple photos depicting terrorist training.

 

IRAQI FORCES DETAIN TERRORIST FACILITATOR IN KIRKUK

TAJI - Iraqi Security Forces conducted an early-morning ground-assault raid and detained an alleged facilitator of terrorist networks between Iraq and Iran in southwest Kirkuk  June 16. With coalition advisers present for support, Iraqi Forces raided the residence in southwest Kirkuk and detained their primary target without incident.   The primary suspect detained is alleged to be responsible for transporting Jaysh al-Mahdi insurgents to Iran for training and then back into Iraq.  He is also suspected of facilitating recruits and paying financial matters.  These activities contribute to the terrorist networks that are bringing explosive devices from Iran to Iraq.

 

'GARRYOWEN' TROOPS DETAIN SUSPECTED ROADSIDE BOMBERS

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers detained nine suspects June 17 near Sab Al Bor, Iraq, possibly connected to an improvised explosive device attack the previous day. During a mounted patrol, Soldiers from Troop B, 1st "Garryowen" Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, identified a vehicle possibly linked to the attack. After questioning the vehicle's occupants, the Soldiers searched a nearby location. During the search, the Soldiers found bomb-making components and one AK-47 assault rifle.  Nine individuals were detained in the operation.

 

MND-B AVIATION, SOLDIERS DISCOVER ROCKETS IN RASHID SCHOOLYARD

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers and aviation assets discovered six rockets in a school yard in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital June 17. At approximately 3 p.m., aircrews from the 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment spotted suspicious looking objects in a school yard while investigating an area suspected as the point of origin for rocket fire against the International Zone in southern Baghdad. Thirty minutes later, Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, assigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, arrived at the scene and found six Iranian-made 107mm rockets.

 

CIVILIAN TIPS NET MASSIVE EXPLOSIVE CACHE

MOSUL, Iraq - An Iraqi civilian tip led Iraqi Army Soldiers to a massive explosives cache southwest of Mosul June 15. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, used the information provided by a local citizen to uncover more than 1,600 pounds of propellant and various artillery charges.  The cache find near Mosul marks the second significant successful operation against al-Qaeda operatives in as many days.  On June 14, Coalition Forces in Kirkuk captured two al-Qaeda cell leaders and several associates.  The intelligence used to launch that operation also came from a local tip.   CF killed Sa'id Hamza, during an operation targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Mosul June 12.   Local tips were also a key to the success in that raid.  Sa'id Hamza was known to be the al-Qaeda in Iraq military emir of Mosul.  Intelligence reports indicated he planned, coordinated and facilitated suicide bombings in the Mosul area.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, War on Terror, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida

10,000 U.S. Soldiers Launch Offensive Against Al-Qaeda

'Dingy' Harry Reid was right, the "surge" has failed. Only 22 terrorists were killed today.

About 10,000 U.S. soldiers launched an offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq northeast of Baghdad early Monday, killing at least 22 insurgents, the U.S. military said. The raids, dubbed "Operation Arrowhead Ripper," took place in Baqouba, the capital of Diyala province, and involved air assaults under the cover of darkness, the military said in a statement. The operation was still in its opening stages, it said.

This is a breaking story and constantly updated. This is a snip of a previous article.

U.S. and Iraqi forces launched attacks on Baghdad's northern and southern flanks to clear out Sunni insurgents, al-Qaida fighters and Shiite militiamen who had fled the capital and Anbar during a four-month-old security operation, military officials said Monday. A top U.S. military official said American forces were taking advantage of the arrival of the final brigade of 30,000 additional U.S. troops to open the concerted attacks.

***UPDATE***

The psychopaths at Huffington Post are flipping out over this. Here is some of the comments:

As if a cockbite like YOU has been in a combat zone. Desert Storm doesn't count, shithead.

 

The "war" is lost. Get used to it and get out now.

 

Why are we going on the offensive when we've already lost?

 

I object to them calling these people al-queda, somehow linking them to the terrorists who committed 9/11... these people had NOTHING to do with 9/11, and therefore should not be called al-queda. these people are defending their country and countrymen from invaders. It's kill, or be killed, simple as that.

 

tell me about the hardened us soldiers who slaughter women and babies, or the brave americans who rape and then kill little iraq girls, then i will shut up.

 

I only wish for bad things to happen to those people.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Troop Surge

Troop Surge Is Still Working, Iranian Rockets Found In Iraq

Troops in Iraq Kill, Detain Scores of Insurgents, Find Iranian Rockets

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2007 – Coalition forces killed 21 insurgents, detained 31 and wounded six others in Iraq during the past three days, military officials said. Meanwhile, troops there discovered six Iranian-made rockets. Coalition forces killed at least 20 terrorists, wounded six others and detained a suspect during operations this morning targeting secret cells operating in the Maysan province of eastern Iraq. The detained individual is an alleged member of the secret cell terrorist network known for transporting weapons and explosively formed penetrators -- a particularly deadly, armor-piercing form of roadside bombs -- from Iran to Iraq, military officials said. The group also is responsible for bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training. In coordination with the Iraqi government, coalition forces conducted raids in Amarah and Majjar al-Kabir, where coalition troops came under heavy small-arms fire and rocket-propelled-grenade attacks. Ground forces retaliated with close-air support to suppress the enemy fire, killing at least 20 terrorists. Military officials said the strafing wounded six suspected terrorists. Coalition fire also destroyed a vehicle being used by the terrorists as a fighting position. Iraqi police detained four insurgents as they attempted to plant an improvised explosive device early this morning near Tikrit. U.S. surveillance helicopters from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade engaged and wounded the four individuals after observing them carry and place materials into a hole. They are being treated for their wounds and have been detained for further questioning by local Iraqi security forces. During operations today and yesterday to disrupt the al Qaeda car-bomb network in Baghdad, coalition forces detained 11 suspected terrorists. Troops netted four suspected terrorists allegedly involved with the car-bomb cell this morning in southern Baghdad, military officials said. They captured another individual with suspected ties to a smuggling ring known for bringing bomb-making materials into Iraq. In a raid in Baghdad and Haditha yesterday, coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists whose network supports Syria-based extremists and provides suicide bombers, vehicles and explosives for the cell. Yesterday, soldiers from 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment supporting Operation Marne Torch, detained five individuals while conducting a company-sized operation in the city of Duraiya. The purpose of the mission was to disrupt key insurgent networks from freedom of maneuver in the battalion's area of operation, military officials said. To prevent insurgents from entering southern Baghdad, fixed-wing aircraft dropped four precision-guided bombs on targeted sites June 16, beginning the major Marne Torch offensive. The aircraft supported about 1,200 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, soldiers focused on the security belts surrounding Baghdad. The brigade's efforts are part of the larger operation recently announced by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, Multinational Force Iraq commander. Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers and aviation assets discovered six rockets in a schoolyard yesterday in Baghdad’s Rashid district, military officials said. While aircrews from 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment investigated an area suspected as the point of origin for rocket fire against Baghdad’s International Zone, they spotted suspicious looking objects in a school yard. Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, assigned to 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, arrived 30 minutes later and found six Iranian-made 107 mm rockets. An explosive ordnance disposal unit later disposed of the munitions. In other news from Iraq, soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment on a mounted patrol in Baghdad's Adhamiyah District on June 16 received small-arms fire from a small group of ski mask-wearing insurgents on a rooftop. Soldiers returned fire, and the insurgents fled. A wild chase through the city streets followed as the soldiers attempted to cut off the insurgents' escape route, U.S. officials said. During the ensuing 20-minute battle, coalition forces killed one insurgent and nabbed three others. Military officials reported today that Iraqi security forces detained four suspected terrorists yesterday believed to have information regarding the June 13 Askari Mosque bombing in Samarra. Acting on previous intelligence, forces raided the target building and detained the four individuals believed to be linked to the recent bombing and other criminal activity in Samarra, officials said. Iraqi forces also seized several propaganda documents, a compact disc showing attacks against coalition forces, several cell phones, 10 feet of detonation cord, 81 blasting caps, identification cards for access to the mosque, and photos depicting terrorist training.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Troop Surge

Fred Thompson On Harry Reid

Take that 'Dingy' Harry!

Well, you've heard by now that Senate leader Harry Reid insulted one of this country's brightest military minds, Marine Corps General Peter Pace -- calling him "incompetent." Let me take a few moments to put this in context. First, Harry Reid voted for the war, like a majority of our legislators. America decided as a nation to free Iraq and the region from Saddam Hussein's tyranny. I have friends, both Democrat and Republican, who questioned the decision at the time, but the Republic made a commitment based on constitutional and democratic procedures. So they are now a hundred percent committed to moving forward in a way that’s best for our country. None of them, by the way, believe surrendering to the forces of terror in Iraq is what's best for our country. Harry Reid, though, has taken a different route. He made his statement about General Pace on a conference call with fringe elements of the blogosphere who think we're the bad guys. This is a place where even those who think the 9/11 attacks were an inside job find a home. And why shouldn't they think that? Reid has led the attack on the administration, with Nancy Pelosi, charging it lied and tricked America into supporting the war. Ignoring multiple hearings and investigations into pre-war intelligence findings that have debunked this paranoid myth, they accuse an entire administration of conspiracy to trick us into a war. I suppose that's easier for some than admitting that they've flip flopped -- but the fact that Reid says this sinister Republican plot is going to help him elect more Democrats ought to be raising a few flags. Saying General Pace is incompetent doesn't even rank near the top of his bizarre statements. How could anyone possibly believe, as Reid charges, that our commanding general in Iraq, David Petraeus, is out of touch with what's going on. Surely someone in Reid's position would know that Petraeus is briefed daily on all aspects of Iraq -- from civil to military. Surely he has to know that Petraeus is a true warrior scholar who literally wrote the Army's book on counterinsurgency warfare. But Reid's comments are not meant for logical analysis. He proclaimed the war lost some time ago, and the surge as a failure even before the additional troops were on the ground. The problem is that every one of Reid's comments I've noted here has also been reported gleefully by Al Jazeera and other anti-American media. Whether he means to or not, he’s encouraging our enemies to believe that they are winning the critical war of will.

 

Technorati tags: Fred!, Fred Thompson, Presidential Candidate, Democrats, Harry Reid

Freedom Journal Iraq #672

This edition features stories on joint missions between Marines and Soldiers, paratroopers combat roadside explosives, Sailors use their ships to provide a way to transport equipment, U.S. and Iraqi forces participate in a soccer game. Hosted by Staff Sgt. Alana Ingram.

     

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition

Suicide Bomb Teams Sent To U.S., Europe

I'm sure they came across the Mexican border also.

Large teams of newly trained suicide bombers are being sent to the United States and Europe, according to evidence contained on a new videotape obtained by the Blotter on ABCNews.com. Teams assigned to carry out attacks in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Germany were introduced at an al Qaeda/Taliban training camp graduation ceremony held June 9.  A Pakistani journalist was invited to attend and take pictures as some 300 recruits, including boys as young as 12, were supposedly sent off on their suicide missions.

This could be fact, speculation, or more Islamic propaganda. Our security in this country is so bad they can come over any time they wish.

 

Technorati tags: United States, Europe, Suicide Bombers, Islam, War on Terror, Islamofascists, Terrorists

Freedom Watch Afghanistan 06/18/07

This edition features stories on the death of Coalition Troops, Coalition air power, the destruction of munitions by EOD Airmen and Lt. Gen. Brady visiting Airmen. Hosted by Tech Sgt. Michael Noel.

 

 

Technorati tags: Afghanistan, Operation Iraqi Freedom, War on Terror, Military, Coalition

International Pedophile Ring Busted: 700 Arrested, 31 Children Rescued

I don't think a sane person could imagine an appropriate punishment. Maybe they should be locked in cells with serial killers.

British police today announced they have broken-up an international paedophile ring with more than 700 members, after a sophisticated infiltration operation. Ceop was set up last year to monitor and close down paedophile websites The paedophiles exchanged obscene images and videos of children - some being horrifically sexually abused - on a website called "Kids the Light of Our Lives", police said. Officers from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) centre infiltrated the ring after arresting the British man behind the site last year. Using techniques more commonly used by anti-terror police, they amassed evidence on other members, with the help of agencies from across the world. The site was closed down after 10 days of surveillance. Two-hundred of the suspects live in Britain, Ceop said. They are "currently subject to active police inquiries", so their details cannot be released. Thirty-one children across the world - including a "significant minority" from Britain - have been rescued from abuse during the 10-month investigation. Information on the operation was released today ahead of the sentencing of Timothy David Martyn Cox, the man police say hosted the website. Cox, 27, of Buxhall, near Stowmarket, hid behind the online identity "Son Of God", and was arrested in September last year after Canadian police informed Ceop that the "Kids the Light of Our Lives" site was based in the UK. Officers swooped at speed to prevent Cox alerting users of his website that he had been caught. After removing him from his house detectives posted a message under his name saying that he had gone for his tea and would be back in 30 minutes, in an attempt to avoid arousing suspicions. He has admitted nine offences of possessing or distributing indecent images of children, and is due to be sentenced this afternoon at Ipswich Crown Court. Another man who attempted to restart the website after Cox's arrest is also awaiting sentence after admitting 27 charges of making, possessing and distributing indecent images and movies. Gordon Mackintosh, 33, from Hertfordshire, used the soubriquets "silentblackheart" and "lust4skoolgurls". When he was arrested in January police found 5,167 indecent and explicit images of children on his computer. Speaking of Cox's conviction, Jim Gamble, chief executive of Ceop, said: "Today’s verdict serves as a powerful warning to those using the Internet to facilitate the sexual exploitation of children.

 

Technorati tags: Britain, International, Pedophile, Paedophile

Good News From The War On Terror 6/17

Helicopters kill insurgents during joint IA, US operations

BAGHDAD — Coalition Forces attack helicopters, supporting Iraqi army soldiers who were engaged by insurgents, killed four insurgents and wounded three during joint operations with the Iraqi Army south of Baghdad June 15. The insurgents fired on the helicopters as they approached and continued firing as they ran into a nearby structure. One of the AH-64s fired on the structure, destroying it. Three sniper rifles, multiple hand grenades and black masks were found by the Iraqi army outside the structure.

 

10 terrorists killed, 20 detained in Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed 10 terrorists, detained 20 suspected terrorists and uncovered enemy weapons and bomb-making materials during operations targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network Saturday and Sunday. Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists during a raid in Baghdad Saturday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the city.  One of the detainees is allegedly a senior leader in the area who oversees al-Qaeda in Iraq operations and supervised several individuals detained in successful Coalition operations over the past week. Sunday morning, Coalition Forces targeted several buildings near Karmah that intelligence reports indicated were associated with a Libyan foreign fighter involved in suicide bombing operations.  As Coalition Forces approached the first building, seven armed terrorists engaged the ground force with small arms fire.  Coalition Forces, responding in self-defense, engaged the seven armed men, killing six and wounding one.  The wounded terrorist fled the scene. Coalition Forces caught the wounded terrorist and two other suspected terrorists as they moved from the first building into the second. The wounded individual was taken to a military medical facility for treatment and the two suspected terrorists were detained. During a search of the area, Coalition Forces found improvised explosive device-making materials, weapons, and a vehicle containing a heavy machine gun and hand grenades.  Coalition Forces safely destroyed the IED materials, vehicle and weapons on site and detained another seven suspected terrorists for their involvement with foreign fighters and al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide bombing operations. During another Sunday raid in Anbar province, Coalition Forces targeted associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader.  As the ground force arrived at the buildings near Zaydon, they awakened three men outside the building.  One man drew a pistol while the other two reached for weapons.  Coalition Forces responded to the hostile threat and engaged the armed men with small arms fire, killing them. Another armed man nearby moved into a tactical position against the ground force, and Coalition Forces, perceiving a hostile threat, engaged the armed man, killing him. Inside the targeted buildings, Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists allegedly involved with the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader network.  The ground force also discovered a truck rigged with wires and other indications of vehicle-borne IEDs.  An explosives team safely destroyed the VBIED on site.  In Mosul Sunday, Coalition Forces continued to assault the city’s terrorist network, capturing a suspected smuggler and four other suspected terrorists involved in IED attacks.  Intelligence reports indicate the alleged smuggler operated a taxi and transported terrorist operatives, weapons, funds and letters between Iraq and Syria.  He is also suspected of involvement in the murder of a female worker at Badush prison in January.

 

Raid on suspected safe house near Samarra

TIKRIT, Iraq – Coalition Forces raided a suspected AQI safe house near Samarra, June 9, discovering identification cards belonging to two U.S. Soldiers missing for nearly a month. The identification cards of Spec. Alex Jimenez and Pvt. Byron Fouty were discovered at the house, along with computers, video production equipment, rifles and ammunition  No one was found at the house. Fouty and Jimenez, assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, MND-C, disappeared after an attack on their patrol May 12, 2007, outside the town of Yussifieh. Extremists fired on Coalition Forces with small arms fire from a nearby tree line as Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, moved into the area to secure the suspected house.  Coalition Forces used combined air and ground firepower to suppress the enemy and secure the area.

 

Dragon Soldiers find caches, defeat attackers

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers confiscated several weapons caches and defeated insurgent attacks in southern Baghdad June 15 and 16. Troops from the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment “Tomahawks,” attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, operating in East Rashid, seized several caches containing two PKC machineguns, one RPK light machinegun, 11 AK-47s, four RPG launchers, one SVD sniper rifle, 1,500 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and other bomb-making materials. The Soldiers are continuing clearing operations in Dora that began in late May. In West Rashid, several complex attacks on MND-B forces by extremists were defeated. Troops from the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment “Vanguards” killed five insurgents after being engaged with small arms and RPG fire in two separate attacks June 14 and 15.

 

ISF continue string of successes with smuggler’s haul; cache find

RABIYAH, Iraq – Iraqi Police working at the Rabiyah Port of Entry discovered money, gold and jewelry being smuggled into Iraq during a standard search of incoming vehicles June 16. The suspected smuggler was driving a cab from Syria into Iraq through the Rabiyah POE when his vehicle was stopped for a routine search.  While conducting the search, IPs found the equivalent of over $300,000 in Iraqi currency and precious metals including gold ingots. The driver was detained and the money and gold was inventoried and secured pending disposition. This discovery came only hours after soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division found a weapons cache while searching a farmer’s field in the village of al-Jadida. While excavating suspicious looking loose dirt, the IA soldiers discovered assault rifles, ammunition and other suspicious materials.  The IA soldiers collected all of the items and have detained four suspects.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, al-Qaida, al-Qaeda

The Troop Surge IS Working

Iraqi, Coalition Forces Detain 52 Suspects, Kill 29 Insurgents

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2007 – In operations throughout Iraq the past several days, Iraqi and coalition forces killed 29 insurgents, detained 52 suspects, and found various bomb-making material and ammunition, military officials reported. Coalition forces killed 10 terrorists, detained 20 suspected terrorists and uncovered enemy weapons and bomb-making materials during operations targeting the al Qaeda in Iraq network yesterday and today. Coalition forces captured two suspected terrorists during a raid in Baghdad yesterday targeting al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the city. One of the detainees is allegedly a senior leader in the area who oversees al Qaeda in Iraq operations and supervised several individuals detained in successful coalition operations over the past week. This morning, coalition forces targeted several buildings near Karmah that intelligence reports indicated were associated with a Libyan foreign fighter involved in suicide bombing operations. As coalition forces approached the first building, seven armed terrorists engaged the ground force with small-arms fire. Coalition forces, responding in self-defense, engaged the seven armed men, killing six and wounding one. The wounded terrorist fled the scene. Coalition forces caught the wounded terrorist and two other suspected terrorists as they moved from the first building into the second. The wounded individual was taken to a military medical facility for treatment and the two suspected terrorists were detained. During a search of the area, coalition forces found improvised explosive device-making materials, weapons, and a vehicle containing a heavy machine gun and hand grenades. Coalition forces safely destroyed the IED materials, vehicle and weapons on site and detained another seven suspected terrorists for their involvement with foreign fighters and al Qaeda in Iraq suicide bombing operations. During another raid today in Anbar province, coalition forces targeted associates of an al Qaeda in Iraq senior leader. As the ground force arrived at the buildings near Zaydon, they awakened three men outside the building. One man drew a pistol while the other two reached for weapons. Coalition forces responded to the hostile threat and engaged the armed men with small arms fire, killing them. Another armed man nearby moved into a tactical position against the ground force, and coalition forces, perceiving a hostile threat, engaged the armed man, killing him. Inside the targeted buildings, coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists allegedly involved with the al Qaeda in Iraq senior leader network. The ground force also discovered a truck rigged with wires and other indications of car bombs. An explosives team safely destroyed the car bomb on site. In Mosul today, coalition forces continued to assault the city's terrorist network, capturing a suspected smuggler and four other suspected terrorists involved in IED attacks. Intelligence reports indicate the alleged smuggler operated a taxi and transported terrorist operatives, weapons, funds and letters between Iraq and Syria. He is also suspected of involvement in the murder of a female worker at Badush prison in January. "We are relentlessly attacking the al Qaeda in Iraq leaders and networks that seek to derail progress in the country," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "Terrorists have no place in the future of Iraq." Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 20 suspected terrorists during operations around the country to disrupt the al Qaeda in Iraq network yesterday. Coalition forces launched an operation to capture associates of al Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership east of Fallujah. As they approached the two targeted buildings, three armed terrorists maneuvered into tactical positions against the ground force. Coalition forces, reacting to the hostile threat, engaged the terrorists, killing all three. Within the buildings, the ground force found several military-style ammunition vests and grenades. Five suspected terrorists were detained for their alleged ties to al Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. In another operation in Anbar province, coalition forces detained an individual suspected of making and transporting false documentation for al Qaeda in Iraq leaders and operatives. Coalition forces also found identification-making equipment in the suspect's house. In Mosul, coalition forces killed one terrorist and wounded another armed man during an operation targeting terrorist leaders. As the ground force approached the objective, the two armed men engaged the ground force with small-arms fire. Coalition forces, reacting in self-defense, returned fire, killing one terrorist and wounding the other. The wounded man was taken to a military medical facility for treatment. One suspected terrorist was detained on scene for his alleged ties to a newly appointed al Qaeda leader.

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Insurgents, Troop Surge

Ex-Diplomat: Britain Feared U.S. Would Nuke Afghanistan

This is probably one of the most ridiculous things I've heard.

Britain joined the United States' invasion to oust the Taliban in 2001 because it feared America would "nuke the shit" out of Afghanistan, the former British ambassador to Washington reportedly told a television documentary to be screened Saturday. In comments printed in advance in the Daily Mirror tabloid on Monday, Christopher Meyer said that fear explained why Prime Minister Tony Blair chose to stand with US President George W. Bush in his decision to invade Afghanistan in the immediate aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks -- to temper his aggressive battle plans. "Blair's real concern was that there would be quote unquote 'a knee-jerk reaction' by the Americans ... they would go thundering off and nuke the shit out of the place without thinking straight," Meyer reported told the documentary, according to the Mirror.

Technorati tags: Britain, United States, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Nuclear, Nuke

Bob Barker: Rosie O'Donnell Could Replace Me On 'The Price Is Right'

He also unintentionally confirmed he's senile. I love Price is Right, and if that animal, Rosie, were to host the show, no way would I ever watch it again. I think there should be a class action lawsuit against the producers of the show.

Bob Barker endorsed his friend Rosie O'Donnell as a possible successor on "The Price Is Right," although the newly retired host isn't sure CBS wants a woman to take over the game show. "I believe they're going to have a meeting with Rosie," Barker said backstage Friday night at the Daytime Emmy Awards, where he won his 19th trophy. "She knows the show," he said. "There's no doubt in my mind she could do the show. Now, whether they want a lady host, I don't know. I've never heard that discussed. As far as I know, they've only auditioned men." Barker said his friendship with O'Donnell goes back several years, when she had him as a guest on her old daytime talk show. "She told me she loved `The Price Is Right' and wanted to host it one day," he recalled. Among those mentioned as possible replacement hosts have been Todd Newton of the E! network, Mark Steines of "Entertainment Tonight," George Hamilton and John O'Hurley. Barker retired last week at age 83 after 35 years of giving away vacations and cars on the hit CBS game show. But he said he may be back with some specials featuring vintage clips and guests.

Technorati tags: Price is Right, Bob Barker, Rosie O'Donnell