Good News From The War On Terror 7/16

Coalition Forces kill 2 terrorist, detain 25 suspects, discover media cell

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained 25 suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq Monday targeting al-Qaeda media and bombing operations. A senior member of an al-Qaeda in Iraq media cell gave himself up to Coalition Forces during a raid in Mosul.  In addition to his surrender, the al-Qaeda in Iraq media cell member led Coalition Forces to the media cell headquarters, where they discovered various jihadist propaganda and media materials.  Three additional suspected terrorists were detained with the cell leader. In Baghdad, Coalition Forces conducted a raid targeting a key liaison between al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cells in the city.  When the ground forces began clearing the building, one man ran toward the perimeter security element.  Coalition Forces, reacting to the perceived hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him.  Ground forces detained two suspected terrorists during the operation. A raid southwest of the capital city targeted close associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.  When Coalition Forces began securing the building, one man fled the scene, and began digging in the yard.  Coalition Forces pursued the man, who attempted to evade the ground forces.  When the ground forces caught up with the man, he attempted to assault an element of the force, and Coalition Forces, reacting in self-defense, engaged the man, killing him.  Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists during the raid. In Ramadi, Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists during a precision raid.  One is an alleged associate of a terrorist who facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists into Iraq for suicide operations. Two coordinated raids in Baghdad targeted members of the Baghdad bombing network.  Coalition Forces detained five suspected terrorists linked to an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader overseeing the bombing network, and two more suspected terrorists with ties to an al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons facilitator. Coalition Forces detained eight suspected terrorists north of Taji during a raid targeting a direct associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders known for using IEDs.

 

Ambush disrupted; two extremists killed

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces killed two and injured two rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorists conducting an ambush on Iraqi and Coalition Forces operating in Al Kut July 14. From an over-watch position, Iraqi and Coalition Forces observed several terrorists emplace a command-detonated improvised explosive device near the planned ambush site. Minutes later, another terrorist shot a rocket-propelled grenade at an Iraqi Security checkpoint to drive security forces toward the ambush site.  The operative, who fired the RPG, then used a woman and child as a shield to escape into a nearby house. Several other rogue JAM operatives then drove down the road and emplaced another device on the opposite side of the checkpoint. The device was believed to have contained an explosively formed penetrator, more commonly called EFP. Iraqi and Coalition Forces killed two terrorists, injured two others and destroyed both IEDs in the process. The ambush was successfully circumvented with no death or injury to the teams.

 

MND-C begins new offensive operations

BAGHDAD — Task Force Marne began an offensive today in southern Baghdad to drive out extremists. Marne Avalanche is an offensive operation aimed at stopping southern Baghdad from being used as a safe haven and preventing the movement of weapons, munitions and insurgents into Baghdad. The operation’s intent is to improve security conditions in southern Baghdad and reduce the influence of insurgents in the area. Marne Avalanche will build on the successes of Task Force Marne’s offensive operation, Marne Torch, which began June 1 and is ongoing. To date, Operation Marne Torch resulted in 1,152 structures cleared, 83 insurgents killed, 278 insurgents detained, 51 caches found, 51 boats destroyed and 872 citizens entered in a biometric identification system.

 

Car-bomb factory discovered, destroyed in Qanat Banat Al Hasan

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device factory was discovered and destroyed by Coalition Forces in a rural area west of Saab al bor, Iraq July 14. While conducting a reconnaissance mission in the Qanat Banat Al Hasan area, west of Saab al bor, troopers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment discovered a large car bomb factory containing 2,000 lbs. of ammonium nitrate, 1,000 lbs. of nitric acid, 10 large shape charges and two trucks already rigged for detonation. After cordoning off the area, the Soldiers destroyed the factory using artillery fire. There were no injuries in the destruction of the site.  An investigation has been launched to determine who was using the facility.

 

Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces detain insurgent leader and two accessories

BAGHDAD – Members of the Iraqi Army, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained three suspected insurgents linked to a rogue group of the Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) militia, during a series of operations July 15 in north Baghdad. One team received small arms fire but safely detained the primary and secondary suspects at the location without injury. The third suspect was detained at a separate target location. The primary suspect is believed to be a rogue JAM battalion commander and is suspected of organizing kidnappings and leading death squad killings of Sunni Muslim Iraqi citizens. Intelligence suggests he has been involved in more than half of the detonated improvised explosive devices in two of the northern districts of Baghdad. The second suspect is an alleged rogue JAM cell commander in northern Baghdad under the primary suspect’s control.  The second suspect’s cell is accused of conducting death squad killings of Iraqi civilians and using IED attacks against Coalition Forces. The third suspect has also been implicated in death squad killings of Iraqi civilians as well as operations using IEDs under the leadership of the primary suspect. A fourth additional suspect who was present during the operations was also detained.

 

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces detain insurgent linked to Iranian IEDs

BAGHDAD – An Iraqi Army platoon with Coalition Forces as advisers detained a key suspected insurgent during an early morning raid, July 15 in Najaf. Iraqi Soldiers detained their primary suspect without incident, while two other suspicious individuals present during the raid were also detained. The primary suspect is believed to facilitate Iranian support for the rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi militia, a well-known insurgent group in Iraq.  He allegedly provides rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with improvised explosive devices and Iranian-made explosively-formed projectiles which have been used to attack Coalition Forces.  Additionally, he is suspected of assisting rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with cross-border training of their insurgent members and providing rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi with financial support, weapons, and equipment.  The primary suspect is accused of exploiting charity organizations for insurgent recruiting purposes.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Task Force Marne, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Iran, IED's

Israel To Release 250 Terrorists

They must think there isn't enough people that want to kill them.

Israel will free 250 Palestinian prisoners later this week — nearly all of them from the Fatah faction of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a spokesman for the Israeli prime minister said Monday. The prisoner release, intended to bolster Abbas in his struggle against the Islamic militant Hamas, will take place on Friday, said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman. He said 85 percent of the prisoners would come from Abbas' Fatah faction, with the remainder coming from smaller Palestinian parties. None will come from Hamas, he said. The spokesman, Jacob Galanti, made the announcement after a two-hour meeting between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders at Olmert's official residence in Jerusalem. He said the prisoners have been involved in violence against Israel, but none "has blood on their hands," an Israeli reference to direct involvement in deadly attacks. He said the release would take place at spots throughout the West Bank and the names of the prisoners would be published on Tuesday.

...and now for the real laugher:

The prisoners will have to sign a document renouncing violence or face the possibility of even tougher sentences in the future, Galanti added.

Having terrorists renounce violence is like having a liberal renounce government handouts. They just can't do it, it's their identity. 

Good News From The War On Terror 7/15

Setback for al-Qaida operatives in Diyala

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces, using tips from local citizens, targeted al-Qaida operatives outside Diyala’s provincial capital July 11, in a continued effort to deny any safe-haven to the terrorist group. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, and 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conducted Operation Ithaca, targeting al-Qaida operatives near the villages of Haimer, Abu Nasim, and Jamil, Iraq, resulting in 29 al-Qaida gunmen killed, 23 detained, eight hostages released, two weapons caches discovered and a safe house destroyed. 25th Combat Aviation Brigade helicopters kicked off the operation early Thursday morning with Soldiers from Company B, 5-73 Cav. conducting an air assault into the objective areas. Throughout the operation, Soldiers identified numerous gunmen moving along the palm groves and water canals attempting to escape.   An al-Qaida safe house was also identified with gunmen moving in and out of the building.  25th CAB attack helicopters engaged and killed the gunmen fleeing the area along canals and palm groves, and helped destroy the safe house with Hellfire missiles. The caches consisted of small-arms munitions, mortars, improvised explosive device making material and other enemy propaganda. While patrolling the Abu Tauma village, eight hostages, who previously suffered severe beatings and lashings, were freed and transferred to a Coalition medical facility for treatment.

 

Coalition Forces detain 13 suspected al-Qaeda operatives

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 13 suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq Saturday and Sunday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and suppliers. Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid Saturday near Samarra and captured an alleged foreign terrorist facilitator and logistician suspected of supplying al-Qaeda cells with operatives and suicide bombers.  After Coalition Forces cornered the targeted individual and two of his associates, the three men fled into a nearby house.  Coalition Forces yelled for the house’s occupants to come out, and several women and children exited the building.  The ground forces moved the civilians away from danger and entered the house, where they detained the three suspected terrorists. Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists during a Sunday morning operation southwest of Baghdad.  One of the men has alleged close ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the Southern Belts, and is believed to be involved in kidnappings, attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces, and attacks against civilians. Coalition Forces captured two targeted individuals southwest of Baghdad Sunday.  The men, who are brothers, are suspected of involvement with a weapons dealer and foreign terrorist facilitator who supplies al-Qaeda in Iraq with weapons and operatives. North of Baghdad, Coalition Forces targeted a suspected terrorist involved in planning chlorine vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks.  The ground forces detained six individuals on the scene for their alleged connections to the bomber.

 

Operation Eagle Ares brings 46 into custody

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers nabbed 46 men suspected of involvement with al Qaeda affiliated terror networks July 12 under the cover of darkness, east of Lutifiyah, Iraq. Troops of the 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., air assaulted in the area, and then began searching reeds along canals for weapons caches. The combined air assault detained 29 men on the Iraqi army’s list of persons of interest, and 14 others who were identified by sources as terrorists. Three other men detained were taken for questioning on suspicion of terrorist activity. The detainees were taken to FOB Mahmudiyah for questioning.

 

 

Technorati tags: Baqouba, Baghdad, FOB Mahmudiya, Eagle Ares, Iraq, War on Terror, Military, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Coalition, Terrorists, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Middle East

New Robot Hunter-Killer Planes Put Into Service

I hope these are ultimately destined for Iran.

The airplane is the size of a jet fighter, powered by a turboprop engine, able to fly at 300 mph and reach 50,000 feet. It's outfitted with infrared, laser and radar targeting, and with a ton and a half of guided bombs and missiles. The Reaper is loaded, but there's no one on board. Its pilot, as it bombs targets in Iraq, will sit at a video console 7,000 miles away in Nevada. The arrival of these outsized U.S. "hunter-killer" drones, in aviation history's first robot attack squadron, will be a watershed moment even in an Iraq that has seen too many innovative ways to hunt and kill.

The MQ-9 Reaper, when compared with the 1995-vintage Predator, represents a major evolution of the unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV. At five tons gross weight, the Reaper is four times heavier than the Predator. Its size — 36 feet long, with a 66-foot wingspan — is comparable to the profile of the Air Force's workhorse A-10 attack plane. It can fly twice as fast and twice as high as the Predator. Most significantly, it carries many more weapons. While the Predator is armed with two Hellfire missiles, the Reaper can carry 14 of the air-to-ground weapons — or four Hellfires and two 500-pound bombs.

 

 

Technorati tags: Reaper, Air Force, Military, UAV

U.S. To Bomb Iran?

Here's to wishful thinking.

The White House claims that Iran, whose influence in the Middle East has increased significantly over the last six years, is intent on building a nuclear weapon and is arming insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. The vice-president, Dick Cheney, has long favoured upping the threat of military action against Iran. He is being resisted by the secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, and the defence secretary, Robert Gates. Last year Mr Bush came down in favour of Ms Rice, who along with Britain, France and Germany has been putting a diplomatic squeeze on Iran. But at a meeting of the White House, Pentagon and state department last month, Mr Cheney expressed frustration at the lack of progress and Mr Bush sided with him. "The balance has tilted. There is cause for concern," the source said this week. Nick Burns, the undersecretary of state responsible for Iran and a career diplomat who is one of the main advocates of negotiation, told the meeting it was likely that diplomatic manoeuvring would still be continuing in January 2009. That assessment went down badly with Mr Cheney and Mr Bush. "Cheney has limited capital left, but if he wanted to use all his capital on this one issue, he could still have an impact," said Patrick Cronin, the director of studies at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. The Washington source said Mr Bush and Mr Cheney did not trust any potential successors in the White House, Republican or Democratic, to deal with Iran decisively. They are also reluctant for Israel to carry out any strikes because the US would get the blame in the region anyway.

 

 

Technorati tags: United States, Iran, War on Terror, Middle East

Iranian Rockets In Iraq Pointed At U.S. Base

They keep saying they're not supplying weapons. Yet we keep finding Iranian weapons in Iraq.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq — After several rockets hit FOB Hammer on July 11, the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team maneuvered to find the source of the attack. Early on July 12, the 3rd HBCT’s unmanned aerial vehicle located 46 rocket launchers in the northern section of Besmaya Range Complex aimed at FOB Hammer. Thirty-four of the launchers were armed with Iranian 107mm rockets. The Besmaya Range Complex is adjacent to the Coalition Force base. Soldiers of the 789th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, currently attached to the 3rd HBCT, immediately responded to the site. According to Capt. Justin Gerken, from Red Wing, Minn., commander of the 789th EOD team, 12 of the 46 rockets had already been used to attack FOB Hammer the day prior.  EOD Soldiers were able to determine that the rockets originated from Iran after analyzing the unexploded ordnance. The 789th EOD team was successful in neutralizing the remaining rockets.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iran, Iranian Weapons, Iraq, War on Terror, Iranian Rockets, U.S. Base, FOB Hammer, Terrorists, Military

Good News From The War On Terror 7/14

Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces kill insurgent cell commander in Baghdad

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces killed a rogue Jaysh Al-Mahdi Special Group cell commander July 11 during an intelligence driven operation in eastern Baghdad. Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces entered the residence to detain Said Jaffer for questioning. When the insurgent commander brandished a pistol, the team verbally instructed him in Arabic to drop his weapon. However, Jaffer refused to comply and the team engaged the insurgent with well-aimed and proportional fire. The high-level rogue JAM leader has a history of terrorizing the New Baghdad area by extorting money, kidnapping and carrying out extra-judicial killings on innocent citizens, who resisted his criminal influence in their neighborhoods. As a commander of more than 120 fighters, his cell is responsible for engaging military and police forces with small arms fire and emplacing explosively formed projectiles along travel routes. The lethal roadside device has been the cause of many Iraqi and Coalition deaths. Intelligence shows a clear link to his group partnering with outside Persian extremists, whose goal is to destroy the legitimate government of Iraq and create instability in the region.

 

Air strike kills five insurgents; Raid nets four al-Qaeda insurgents

BAGHDAD – A Coalition Forces air strike killed five insurgents who were observed planting an improvised explosive device along a heavily traveled route in Diwaniyah, July 12. During routine aerial reconnaissance in the Diwaniyah area, Coalition Forces spotted the five individuals emplacing an IED on a route used regularly by Iraqi Security Forces as well as civilian drivers. With the area cleared of civilians, the Coalition Forces conducted the aerial strike with well aimed and proportional force, killing the targeted subjects. Iraqi Security Forces confirmed that the five insurgents died as a result of the blast. In a separate operation, Iraqi Security Forces conducted an early morning raid in Tal Afar detaining three al-Qaeda cell leaders, July 12. With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Security Forces raided a residence in the Sh’War village of northwest Iraq and detained their primary suspects without incident. One other suspicious individual present during the raid was also detained. The primary targets of this operation are alleged to be responsible for establishing a safe haven for other al-Qaeda members in Tal Afar as well as conducting attacks against Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces and local Iraqi people.

 

Arrowhead Ripper update: Baqouba residents return to work

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Baqouba residents are returning to work and coalition and Iraqi ground forces continue to make significant seizures twenty-four days into Operation Arrowhead Ripper. More than 100 workers and 50 security guards returned to work July 11 at Diyala Electrical Industry because of increased security. DEI repairs and manufactures a wide variety of products essential for power distribution and is Baqouba’s largest company, capable of employing nearly 3,000 people. The company has already repaired a generator for the local government to install and use. The Iraqi army is providing combat power throughout Baqouba as Arrowhead Ripper continues. More than 700 soldiers, mostly from 1st Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division are working alongside units from the 1-12th Combined Arms Battalion and 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment. During the last 48 hours, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment seized a large weapons cache containing more than 20 60mm mortars, four rocket propelled grenades and launcher materials. The 1-12 CAB units have located and destroyed two al-Qaeda in Iraq field hospitals, a torture room, a headquarters facility, and multiple IED’s. Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, 60 al-Qaida operatives have been confirmed killed and 224 have been detained. Coalition and Iraqi forces have also eliminated 133 improvised explosive devices and destroyed 24 booby-trapped structures.

 

Six terrorists killed after endangering women and children, engaging Coalition Forces

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces called in an air strike against a group of armed terrorists during a raid in Diyala province Saturday, killing at least six of the armed men. Coalition Forces conducted an operation south of Baqubah targeting a weapons dealer linked to the foreign terrorist network in Samarra.  When they reached the target location, they called out to the occupants of the building and were immediately engaged with small arms fire that escalated to include heavy machine gun fire. During the engagement, armed terrorists gathered on the roof of one building and brought several women and children to their fighting positions as human shields.  Coalition Forces took extensive precautions to preserve the safety of the women and children.  When the terrorists finally released the civilians, Coalition Forces escorted them to a safe area away from the fighting. Ground forces continued to take heavy fire.  Reacting appropriately in self-defense against the enemy force, Coalition Forces called in close air support to eliminate the hostile threat.  The air strike is believed to have killed at least six armed men at the target location, but Coalition Forces continued to take enemy fire as they left the area.

 

Al-Qaeda cell leader, 17 suspected bombers captured

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 18 suspected terrorists during operations in central and northern Iraq Saturday targeting bombing networks and terrorist cell leaders. One suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader surrendered to Coalition Forces during a raid in Mosul.  The individual is the alleged security emir of Mosul, operating terrorist cells in the area and maintaining connections to other high-level al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. Coalition Forces captured a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cell leader southeast of Baghdad.  During the raid, the ground forces also detained eight suspected terrorists tied to the bombing cell. During a raid southwest of the capital city, Coalition Forces captured an alleged IED operative and two individuals suspected of emplacing IEDs for him. A Coalition Forces raid northwest of Baghdad netted five suspected terrorists who are allegedly tied to a chlorine VBIED facilitator in Anbar province.

 

Paratroopers capture IED cell leader

KALSU, Iraq — The ring leader of a cell responsible for conducting improvised explosive device attacks on the people and security forces of North Babil was captured by paratroopers south of Mahmudiyah, July 11. The Paratroopers of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 509th Airborne, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division conducted a raid named Operation Leyte Gulf and captured the cell leader and four of his lieutenants. “Capturing high value targets does a couple of things for us. It limits the threat to Coalition Forces,” said 2nd Lt. Jason Franklin, a native of Catoosa, Okla., and platoon leader with Company C. “It’s also a great morale booster for the guys. … We’re fighting a war where we fight a faceless enemy, so it’s good when you have a recognizable target and take him down.” The paratroopers also confiscated an AK47 automatic rifle with five magazines of ammunition, four hunting knives, and a set of binoculars.

 

Troops uncover cache, capture 13 suspects

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad uncovered a weapons cache and captured 13 suspected insurgents during raids in eastern Baghdad July 13. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., detained five suspects and recovered two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, three grenades and one improvised explosive device in an operation in the New Baghdad District of the Iraqi capital. In a separate raid, Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, a Fort Carson, Colo.-based unit detained eight suspected insurgents in the Zafarniya District. They also recovered circuit boards, wires, timers, soldering tools and nine million Iraqi dinar during the raid.

 

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Middle East

'New' Old Bin Laden Video Released

It's a new tape with old footage. There's a reason Bin Laden hasn't been shown on video for the past year or so, it's because he's dead or severely disabled.

A new al-Qaida videotape posted Sunday on a militant Web site featured a short, undated clip of a weary-looking Osama bin Laden praising martyrdom. The bin Laden clip, which lasted less than a minute, was part of a 40-minute video featuring purported al-Qaida fighters in Afghanistan paying tribute to fellow militants who have been killed in the country. Bin Laden glorified those who die in the name of jihad, or holy war, saying even the Prophet Muhammad "had been wishing to be a martyr." "The happy (man) is the one that God has chosen him to be a martyr," added bin Laden, who was shown outdoors wearing army fatigues and looking tired. The authenticity of the video could not be verified, but it appeared on a Web site commonly used by Islamic militants and carried the logo of as-Sahab, al-Qaida's media production wing. It was not immediately clear when the video of bin Laden was filmed. Bin Laden was last heard from in a July 1, 2006 audio tape in which he voiced support for the new leader of al-Qaida in Iraq and warned nations not to send troops to fight a hardline Islamic regime that had recently seized power in Somalia. Sunday's video, dedicated to Muslims who have left their homes to fight jihad, included a series of animated scenes showing green fields overlaid with Arabic names written in gold, representing Arab fighters who had died in Afghanistan.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, Afghanistan, War on Terror, Terrorists, Bin Laden, Islam

Good News From The War On Terror 7/13

Coalition Forces kill two terrorists, capture 19 suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained 19 suspected terrorists during operations in central and western Iraq Friday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and their associates. Coalition Forces targeted the leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq during coordinated raids on several buildings in Tarmiyah.  As Coalition Forces entered one of the buildings, two men charged the ground forces and attempted to assault them.  Coalition Forces, reacting in self-defense, engaged the two men, killing them.  Another man was injured by a ricochet bullet from the engagement and was taken to a military medical facility. During the raids, Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists, including a targeted individual who is an alleged weapons facilitator in Anbar province and closely tied to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.  A separate raid in Tarmiyah netted two more suspected terrorists tied to the religious emir of al-Qaeda in Iraq. West of Taji, Coalition Forces conducted operations on two buildings in search of a close associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of Karmah.  The ground forces captured eight suspected terrorists, including the targeted individual, who is allegedly involved in conducting terrorist attacks, coordinating suicide operations and importing weapons from abroad. Coalition Forces raided two buildings in southwestern Baghdad and detained three suspected terrorists allegedly tied to the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of Baghdad.

 

Dragons’ Operation ‘Hammers’ enemy

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division - Baghdad troops detained more than 100 suspected insurgents and seized more than 200 weapons caches during Operation Dragon Hammer in the Rashid District of the Iraqi capital July 1 -11. The operation, launched by the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team “Dragons,” 1st Infantry Division, was aimed at rooting out suspected terrorists; interdicting their supplies; and helping the elected Iraqi government secure the southern Baghdad district. Between July 1-11, 101 suspects were detained, including suspected leaders of Al Qaeda in Iraq and rogue elements of Jayesh Al Mahdi.  One suspect, believed to be an Al Qaeda cell leader, was killed July 9. During this time, Dragon Brigade Soldiers located 237 weapons caches which included two intact explosively formed penetrator devices, one complete 120mm mortar system, 37 mortar rounds and various other IED-making materials; and numerous small arms and small arms ammunition On July 11, alone, 11 suspected Al Qaeda members were detained in the Massafee area during a targeted raid. Soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, attached to the 4th IBCT, launched the raid to capture suspected terrorists in order to disrupt Al Qaeda activities in the area. The suspects were detained for further questioning.

 

MND-B aircrews destroy homemade explosive factory, cache

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Multi-National Division-Baghdad attack helicopter crews destroyed a homemade explosive factory and cache July 12 northwest of Baghdad. An AH-64D Apache team from 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, first observed two buildings that appeared to be part of an HME factory during a reconnaissance mission July 5. An air assault was planned to establish whether the buildings were used to manufacture the explosive, frequently used by terrorists in roadside and car bombs. The air assault, Operation Eagles, launched at approximately 2 a.m. July 12, with two UH-60 Black Hawks from 3rd “Spearhead” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, transporting Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. to the potential HME site. The 1-37th FA Soldiers were inserted near the site and confirmed that the buildings were used to manufacture explosives. The Soldiers also found an anti-aircraft weapon in the buildings and two trailers and eight vehicles at the site. After getting clearance from the ground forces, the Apache helicopter crews fired on the buildings, destroying them and the anti-aircraft weapon system. The Apaches also destroyed the two trailers and fired on the vehicles.

 

Taji’s “Neighborhood Watch” turns over fourth cache in two weeks

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — For a fourth time in two weeks, a large cache of improvised explosive device-making material and mortar rounds was turned over to Coalition Forces by the “Neighborhood Watch” in Taji, Iraq July 9. The cache contained more than 20 mortar rounds, multiple makeshift mortar tubes and mortar fuses. Also in the cache were IED timing devices and IED detonation material. This is the fourth time since the establishment of a Coalition outpost in Falahat, a village near Taji, north of the Iraqi capital, that weapons caches have been turned in or identified to Soldiers from Troop D, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, who man the outpost.  Thus far, six caches have been removed from the village, two discovered by Coalition and Iraqi Army troops patrolling the area.  The “Neighborhood Watch” is made up of a group of 500 local volunteers, tribe members in the Taji area who want reconciliation with the Coalition and the Iraqi government. These volunteers are currently being vetted for possible future selection for training as Iraqi Police or some other organization within the Iraqi Security Forces.

 

U.S. Special Forces apprehend high-level Al-Qaeda cell leader

BAGHDAD – U.S. Special Forces and Iraqi Security Forces detained an alleged high-level Al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell leader July 13 at Baghdad International Airport. The alleged cell leader turned himself in to U.S. Special Forces and Iraqi Security Forces without a struggle and is currently in U.S. custody for questioning.   The alleged cell leader has reportedly targeted Coalition Forces, distributed mortars, organized and ordered vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks. He is believed to operate out of the Karh district of Baghdad, along with Mahmudiyah and the Arab Jabour districts.

 

Iraqi Forces detain sniper cell leader in Bayji

BAYJI, Iraq – Elements of the 4th Iraqi Army Brigade detained the leader of a terrorist sniper cell in Bayji during an intelligence driven operation in Bayji July 12. The targeted individual is allegedly responsible for leading attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces, including attacks against the joint security site in downtown Bayji. Two other individuals were also detained during the operation. One other member of this cell had been previously captured last month. Iraqi Forces, with U.S. Special Operations Forces as advisors, also confiscated an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and computer equipment.

 

Iraqi citizen leads Soldiers to caches in known terrorist safe haven

QARGHULI VILLAGE, Iraq — An Iraqi citizen who has been working with Coalition Forces during the past week led them to two caches in Qarghuli Village, Iraq, a known terrorist safe haven. The local resident accompanied Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment “Polar Bears,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., on a dismounted patrol in the village July 12 and led them to two caches. The caches consisted of a rack system, a video camera, a 61mm fuze, a spool of command wire used to make improvised explosive devices, 44 Dragonov sniper rounds and a 155mm round. During the past few days the Iraqi residents have led the Polar Bears to more than 14 caches in the village. “The people of Qarghuli Village coming forward to help the Iraqi and Coalition Forces is a positive sign that they are willing to take more responsibility in their own security,” said Maj. Kenny Mintz, the 2nd BCT operations officer and native of San Diego. “They are taking steps that they have never taken before.” The contents of the cache were destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by members of the explosive ordnance team.

 

13th MEU finds 50,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate

CAMP AL TAQADDUM, Iraq –  Marines from Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, discovered 500, one hundred-pound bags of ammonium nitrate July 11.  Marines stopped two 18-wheel tractor trailers while conducting a vehicle check point north of Karmah. The ammonium nitrate, a common ingredient in improvised explosive devices, was found during a search of the vehicles. Marines are currently conducting operations north of Fallujah and Karmah to search for weapons caches and to deny enemy activities throughout the area.

 

 

Technorati tags: Iraq, War on Terror, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Military, Coalition, Terrorists, Insurgents, Middle East

Fred's Still Ahead In Poll 7/13

Fred! 25% Giuliani 24%

The race for of the Republican Presidential nomination following the July 4th holiday looks a lot like it did before the nation’s birthday party. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani essentially tied for the lead. It’s Thompson at 25% and Giuliani at 24%. Trailing the frontrunners at a distance are former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and Arizona Senator John McCain. They’re tied at 12%. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and Kansas Senator Sam Brownback each attract support from 2% of voters nationally. Five other candidates split 3% of the vote (Congressman Ron Paul, Congressman Tom Tancredo, Congressman Duncan Hunter, former Governors Tommy Thompson and former Governor Jim Gilmore). Twenty percent (20%) of likely Republican Primary Voters are undecided at this time.

 

Technorati tags: Fred Thompson, Giuliani, McCain, Romney, 2008 Presidential Candidates, Republicans

Grand Jury Indictment Of Usama Bin Laden, 1998

I thought there was no ties between al-Qaeda and Iraq? I guess only if a Republican is president.

New York -- A U.S. Federal Grand Jury in New York on Nov. 5 issued an indictment against Usama Bin Laden alleging that he and others engaged in a long-term conspiracy to attack U.S. facilities overseas and to kill American citizens. The indictment noted that Al Qaeda, Bin Laden's international terrorist group, forged alliances with the National Islamic Front in Sudan and with the government of Iran and with its associated group Hezballah to "work together against their perceived common enemies in the West, particularly the United States." Additionally, the indictment states that Al Qaeda reached an agreement with Iraq not to work against the regime of Saddam Hussein and that they would work cooperatively with Iraq, particularly in weapons development.

Read the whole thing here.

 

Technorati tags: Bin Laden, al-Qaeda, al-Qaida, Iraq, Terrorists, Terrorism, Hezbollah, Hizbollah, Indictment, Saddam Hussein

Pakistan Blocks CNN, "Highly Biased And Misleading"

...and the Pakistani's are exactly right.

Pakistan government has barred the US television channel CNN from entering the Lal Masjid complex accusing it of telecasting a "highly biased and misleading" report against the country. The battered mosque was opened to the media for the first time on Friday after the military operation against militants. Officials said CNN was denied access to the Lal Masjid for telecasting a "highly biased, inaccurate and misleading report" on Pakistan to create an impression that the country was not doing enough to curb terrorism and extremism. Nick Robertson of CNN had contacted the Pakistani authorities seeking access to North Waziristan, South Waziristan and Balochistan to do a story highlighting Pakistan's efforts to stamp out terrorism and extremism. The CNN team was given maximum access and was even provided a helicopter, Dawn quoted an official as saying. The team conducted dozens of interviews but chose to pick up five negative interviews, including that of former ISI chief Gen (retd) Hameed Gul, Barrister Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan and Amir Mir, he said. Moreover, the right to reply was also denied to the government when a contact was made to this respect. "We are not a banana republic. If we can give access, we can also deny the same when necessary," the official said. A CNN spokesperson, on the other hand, said: "The actions by the Pakistan government are regrettable. We remain committed to reporting from Pakistan."

 

Technorati tags: Pakistan, CNN, Censorship

Terror Apologist To Head Ohio Homeland Security

Words cannot describe my anger about this. As a Ohio citizen and VOTER, I am once again forced into national humiliation by the Democrats jackasses elected by the low-level intelligence found in the big cities. All that those worthless scabs want is handouts and that is what the Dem's promised them. I had a post awhile back about Gov. Strickland being being a speaker at a CAIR-OH banquet. CAIR being an unindicted co-conspirator in a Hamas fundraising case.

Last Monday, Ohio freshman US Senator Sherrod Brown (D) probably had no idea that when he met with a group of Columbus-area Somali leaders that they were being led by one of the most vocal Western supporters of the Somali al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). That oversight is forgivable, considering that Abukar Arman, one of my Hilliard, Ohio neighbors, regularly operates among the political elite of the state of Ohio, though as I discovered in my extensive investigation, Abukar Arman’s powerful friends will go to great lengths to promote and protect their Somali terror apologist friend. Arman’s position overseeing Central Ohio’s homeland security (discussed further below) is an example of how his politically powerful friends have worked hard to position him at the top of the governmental and educational hierarchy in the area.

Sen. Sherrod Brown is such an idiot I would be shocked to find out he can actually tie his own shoes. One of his supporters came knocking on my door at election time. I debated her for several minutes until she got mad that I would actually question Sherrod Brown's qualifications for senator. She screamed at me that I was wrong and started crying and then left. I've never felt such accomplishment.

Abukar Arman is one of the most prominent public defenders of the al-Qaeda-backed ICU terrorist organization in the West, having published numerous articles in print and online defending the group prior to their violent takeover of Somalia last summer, during their campaign to impose shari’a on the Somali population during brief time in power, and following the ICU’s expulsion late last year by Ethiopian troops to restore the UN-backed Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and to defuse the threats made by the ICU to conduct terror operations inside Ethiopia. Back this past December, Arman called the ICU takeover of Somali “the best thing that happened to Somalia in the past 16 years”: And internally, ICU, with its various shortcomings, is the best thing that happened to Somalia in the past 16 years. And due to a severe shortage of technocrats and civil servants, the courts suffer from lack of capacity in areas of diplomacy and overall governance; as such, they ought to be supported...(“Iraqization of Somalia Could Widen the Divide between West and the Islamic World,” California Chronicle, December 11, 2006) Three days after Arman made this announcement, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer described al-Qaeda’s operational control over the ICU: The Council of Islamic Courts is now controlled by al-Qaida cell individuals, east Africa al-Qaida cell individuals. The top layers of the courts are extremist to the core. They are terrorists and they are in control. They are creating this logic of war, and that’s a problem. (David Gollust, “US Says al-Qaida Elements Running Somali Islamic Movement,” Voice of America, December 14, 2006 The ICU, headed by Hassan Dahir Aweys, who is listed by the US government as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, has partnered with al-Qaeda to set up terrorist training camps to wage jihad all over Africa. According to a Reuters report, as many as 4,000 foreign jihadists had been trained and were fighting as part of the ICU’s front against the TFG. The ICU has also given shelter to three al-Qaeda terrorists directly responsible for the 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. (For more info on the ICU’s background, see Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Bill Roggio’s article, “A New Terrorist Haven”.) Lest I be accused of falsely imputing to him a position of support for the ICU, despite all of this prior evidence, I would note that Arman published an article in July 2006, at the very time that the ICU’s armed takeover of the country and imposition of Taliban-like shari’a was occurring, entitled, “Somalia: Why the International Contact Group Should Support the Islamic Courts Union”, describing the al-Qaeda-backed ICU takeover of Somalia as a “spontaneously formed popular uprising”. And as recently as last month, Arman was continuing his public apology for the ICU (“Ungovernable Somalia and the Imminent Collision of External Interests”), and advocating for “dialogue” with the terrorist group, which is still conducts assassinations and suicide bombings against Somali civilian targets despite being pushed out of power.

Read the rest here. It just keeps getting more ridiculous.

 

h/t: LGF

Technorati tags: Ohio, Homeland Security, CAIR, Terrorists, Sherrod Brown, Ted Strickland, Democrats, Abukar Arman

12,000 Pakistani Troops Deployed To Northern Pakistan

It looks like President Musharraf realized that you cannot negotiate with terrorists. He's deployed 12,000 troops to Waziristan, which is where most of the Taliban and al-Qaeda fled when they were pushed out of Afghanistan. Those terrorists were welcomed with open arms by tribal warlords in that region.

TANK/PESHAWAR, July 12: The army started deploying troops in NWFP's southern districts, adjoining the Waziristan region, amid reports that an operation to curb militancy and extremism was imminent. Sources told Dawn on Thursday that 12,000 troops, backed by artillery units, were moved to Tank and Dera Ismail Khan districts from Okara. Troops took over the building of a vocational college in Tank city and were stationed in paramilitary forts in the remote district. Security forces were also being deployed in Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts, considered to be hotbed of militancy. Besides, troops have also been stationed in the northern Swat and Lower Dir districts. Security officials said that two army divisions were being deployed in the NWFP and tribal areas. Local Taliban expressed resentment over the troops' redeployment in North Waziristan. They asked the government to pull troops back by July 15 and threatened that if it was not done, they would not abide by the peace agreement. Militants' spokesman Abdullah Farhad accused the government of violating the peace agreement signed on September 5, 2006, under which it had to withdraw all troops. Sources said that soldiers reinforced their positions around Miramshah town, headquarters of the North Waziristan Agency, and started checking vehicles, looking for heavy arms.

 

Technorati tags: Pakistan, Waziristan, Musharraf, Pakistani Military, Terrorists, Taliban, al-Qaeda, Warlord

Israel 'Approved' To Strike Iran

The proposed strike against Iran has bounced back and forth between the United States and Israel. I remember several months ago, in one week, there was at least four different articles posted online with some saying it would be Israel and some saying it would be the U.S. I think at one time, Saudi Arabia was a candidate.

When it happens, it happens. They are surely not going to announce it before the attack.

Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs said he has received approval from the U.S. and Europe for an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. "If we start military operations against Iran alone, then Europe and the U.S. will support us,” Avigdor Lieberman said following a meeting with NATO and European Union officials. Lieberman said the Western powers recognized the Iranian nuclear threat to Israel, Israel Today magazine reported. But military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are "going to prevent the leaders of countries in Europe and America from deciding on the use of force to destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities,” and they are sending the message that Israel should "prevent the threat herself.”

 

Technorati tags: Israel, Iran, United States, Europe, Military Strike