Coalition Forces Interrupts Terrorist Training, Several Terrorists Killed

Friday, May 11, 2007
Coalition Forces killed several terrorists and destroyed three trucks with mounted anti-aircraft weapons May 8 after discovering a pack of terrorists firing on a house northeast of Karmah.

Intelligence reports and surveillance of a known al-Qaeda in Iraq meeting location led Coalition Forces to three trucks, two of which carried mounted anti-aircraft artillery weapons. Coalition Forces followed the vehicles to an area where terrorists emerged from the vehicles and engaged two houses with heavy fire. The ground attack was assessed to be practice for possible future attacks against Coalition Forces.

Coalition Forces continued to follow the vehicles as they left the target practice location and waited until the armed vehicles were away from potential civilian casualties. A fixed-wing aircraft was called in to destroy the vehicles. One truck with an anti-aircraft weapon and two sedans associated with the trucks were destroyed, killing an estimated 10 to 14 terrorists.

The two remaining trucks departed the strike scene in different directions, but Coalition Forces continued to follow them. Each was destroyed in a separate air strike after the vehicle’s occupants abandoned it and fled the scene.

Coalition Forces followed an additional vehicle from the scene of the first strike and targeted the building it returned to in an overnight raid. Eight suspected terrorists were detained in the raid, and one was treated for shrapnel wounds he received from the air strike earlier in the evening.

“These strikes caused significant damage and disruption to an organized anti-aircraft cell in Anbar province, and the destruction of these weapons diminishes al-Qaeda’s ability to target security forces protecting the people of Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

The VIDEO can be seen on the MNF-I Website at this LINK

(Taken from press release #A070511a by MNF-I - Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq)

Air strike in Sadr City, three secret cell terrorists killed

Thursday, May 10, 2007
Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained four suspected terrorists Thursday morning during raids in Sadr City.

The individuals targeted during the raid are suspected members of a secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.

Upon arrival at the targeted area, ground forces received small arms fire from two separate buildings. Coalition Forces, using appropriate self-defense measures, returned fire and engaged the armed terrorists.

Despite efforts to subdue the armed terrorists, Coalition Forces continued to receive enemy fire. Using appropriate escalation of force to react to the perceived threat, Coalition Forces called for close air support, killing three armed terrorists.

During the course of the morning’s operations, Coalition Forces targeted a concentration of buildings associated with the terrorist network, detaining four suspected terrorists during the raids. Three Iraqi civilians were also injured during the operation. The three injured individuals received medical attention on scene from Coalition Forces.

Intelligence reports also indicate the secret cell has ties to a kidnapping network that conducts attacks within Iraq.

“Coalition forces strike at the terrorists where they hide, not waiting for them to inflict violence on the Iraqi people,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “The Iraqi people continue to reject the methods of the terrorists and choose instead a stable, peaceful Iraq.”
(Taken from press release #A070510a by MNF-I - Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq)

Coalition Forces Detain 18 Suspected Terrorists in Iraq

Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Coalition forces detained 18 suspected terrorists during raids around Iraq Tuesday and Wednesday, targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and their network by exploiting information from previous operations.
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Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists southeast of Taji Wednesday morning for their ties to an alleged senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leader. Intelligence reports indicate the alleged senior leader is an explosives expert and has just been promoted to make up for the degradation of the network after several recent arrests by Coalition forces.
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Information gained from successful operations on Apr. 29 led Coalition forces to four individuals north of Karmah, who were detained for their suspected involvement with the al-Qaeda in Iraq command network. In related operations near Baghdad and Ramadi, Coalition forces detained seven more suspected terrorists allegedly tied to the same network.
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Coalition forces detained three individuals in Mosul Tuesday afternoon for suspected ties to al-Qaeda senior leadership there.
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“We’re continuing to build on our successes to disrupt the al-Qaeda in Iraq network and stop their merciless and murderous attacks against the Iraqi people,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
(Taken from press release #A070509b by MNF-I - Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq)

Coalition Forces Find Torture Room, Destroy Weapons Cache In Sadr City

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Coalition Forces destroyed a torture room, a large cache of weapons and improvised explosive device-making materials Sunday morning while targeting terrorists in Sadr City.

Coalition Forces targeted the location based on intelligence reports that indicated the presence of suspected members of a secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.

During a search of the objective, Coalition Forces found a torture room and cache of over 150 mortar rounds, ammunition and IED-making materials.

Because the explosive nature and instability of the materials, Coalition Forces cordoned off the area and an explosive ordnance team detonated the materials in place.

When ground forces initially approached buildings at the targeted location, they began receiving heavy small arms fire, including rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons, from one of the buildings. Coalition Forces, using appropriate self-defense measures, returned fire.

Four more armed men engaged Coalition Forces from behind a vehicle, which was struck when Coalition Forces returned fire, reacting to the hostile actions with appropriate self-defense measures and fired on it. The vehicle was destroyed.

Despite efforts to subdue the armed terrorists, Coalition Forces continued to receive enemy fire. Coalition Forces used actions to react to the perceived threat in self-defense and called for close air support to suppress the armed terrorists who were firing rocket propelled grenades. Coalition Forces estimate eight to 10 armed individuals were killed during the exchange of fire during the operation.

Intelligence reports indicate that the secret cell has ties to a kidnapping network that conducts attacks within Iraq as well as interactions with rogue elements throughout Iraq and into Iran.

“Coalition Forces continue to target terrorists who use torture, improvised explosives devices, and facilitate the training of those who would use the same methods,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

“We continue to strike at the networks around Iraq that disregard the safety of all Iraqis.”
(Taken from press release #A070506a by MNF-I - Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq)

Coalition Forces Positively Identifies Two Al-Qaeda Leaders Killed

Coalition forces positively identified two more senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders killed in an operation May 1st west of Taji, the same operation where Muharib Abdul Latif was killed.

Coalition forces followed leads from intelligence reports on senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and conducted a raid in the Taji area Tuesday morning. During the operation, terrorists engaged ground forces with small arms fire. Coalition forces used appropriate self-defense measures and engaged the armed men, killing five terrorists.

One of the terrorists killed during the operations was later positively identified as Sabah Hilal al-Shihawi, also known as Sabah al-Alwani and Abu Nuri. Sabah Hilal al-Shihawi was reportedly the religious advisor for Muharib Abdul Latif.

Another terrorist killed during the Tuesday morning raid was Abu Ammar al-Masri. Intelligence reports indicated that he was a foreign fighter that was facilitating insurgent activity and infrastructure support for al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Both terrorists were positively identified by associates at the site, and positive photo identification was also verified on Sabah Hilal al-Shihawi.

“We will not wait for these terrorists to strike – we will seek them out. This is what al Qaeda in Iraq members can expect when they target the Iraqi people and security forces that protect them,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.
(Taken from press release #A070504b Multi-National Force-Iraq – Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq)

Coalition and Iraqi Forces Detain 12 Suspects, Seize Dump Truck Loaded With Explosives

Coalition and Iraqi forces captured 12 suspects and seized a dump truck transporting explosive materials during raids across Iraq the past two days. Also, an investigation into an operation yesterday revealed no Iraq police were killed or injured, as original reports indicated.

In Baghdad, two individuals were detained for allegedly providing and transporting car bomb materials for a network operating in the area. In Karmah, a village northeast of Fallujah, coalition forces detained six men with suspected ties to al Qaeda.

"These captures are another step in disrupting the terrorist networks operating in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

A preliminary investigation into a coalition forces raid yesterday in Ramadi revealed that three individuals killed and one wounded were not Iraqi policemen, as originally reported. Actual Iraqi police operating in the area were notified by coalition forces while they were planning the raid. Iraqi police in the area were again notified immediately before coalition forces entered the target area, military officials said.

In the course of the operation, ground forces began receiving intense small-arms fire from armed men in two separate buildings. Using appropriate self-defense measures, coalition forces returned fire.

The wounded individual identified the group as Iraqi police, and the individuals used a vehicle that resembled local Iraqi police vehicles. But the investigation later revealed the armed individuals were dressed in dishdashas, which is traditional male Arabic garb, and not in Iraqi police uniforms.

Later in the operation, coalition forces cleared another targeted building and detained seven suspected terrorists with alleged ties to al Qaeda in Iraq.

During several early morning raids in the Iraqi capital yesterday, Iraqi special operations forces detained a target suspected of leading a rogue criminal cell operating in northeast Baghdad. Iraqi special operations forces, with coalition advisors, raided several buildings in Sadr City where they captured the terrorist leader, military officials reported.

As they left their second objective area, combined forces received enemy fire. Iraqi forces returned fire, immediately suppressing the enemy. Two other suspects were detained by Iraqi forces during this operation.

Combined forces primarily targeted a suspect with alleged links to a criminal network called "Abu Dura." He is responsible for leading a kidnapping cell, conducting attacks on coalition and Iraqi forces, killing many innocent Iraqi civilians and launching rockets into parts of Baghdad, military officials said.

In Mushada yesterday, a dump truck overturned while attempting to deliver its payload of explosives and nitric acid.

A coalition patrol approached the driver of the overturned dump truck and offered assistance and found the vehicle loaded with nitric acid containers and explosives. The driver was taken into custody and confessed that he was paid to attack the Joint Security Station in Mushada, which also houses the town's Iraqi police station.

An explosive ordnance team was called to analyze and dispose of the truck's contents. The team discovered eight containers of nitric acid, eight directional fragmentation explosives devices and two large ordnance rounds.

The explosives and munitions discovered will be disposed of once they are carefully removed from the site, and the driver is being held for further questioning.
(Taken from a news article by DoD’s American Forces Press Service that was compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases)

Coalition Forces and Afghan National Army Discover Weapons Caches in Afghanistan

April 5, 2007

Acting on reports from Afghan civilians, coalition forces and Afghan National Army discovered several weapons caches in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province April 3.

Three weapons caches, consisting of 30 82 mm recoilless rounds, were found hidden along a ridgeline near the Pakistani border, military officials report. The recoilless rounds, commonly used to create improvised explosive devices, were destroyed in place.

Over the past week, coalition forces in the province have discovered 60 82 mm recoilless rifle rounds, 28 85 mm rocket propelled grenade rounds, 17 rocket-propelled grenade boosters, six 107 mm rockets, three 75 mm RPG rounds and an RPG launcher in the Bati Kot, Shinwar, Achin and Khogyani districts.

"The weapons recovered will no longer be available for use by Taliban fighters and other militant forces," said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesman. "Afghans are taking responsibility for their safety and security by reporting the locations of weapons caches."
(A DoD American Forces Press Service news article that was taken from a Combined Joint Task Force 82 news release)

Iraqi and Coalition Forces Kill, Capture Terrorists

March 21, 2007
Coalition and Iraqi forces killed 17 terrorists, detained about 90 suspected insurgents, and found several weapons caches in operations throughout Iraq in the past three days, military officials reported.

Coalition forces killed five terrorists, destroyed a bomb-making factory and detained three suspected terrorists during an operation today near Taji. As ground forces entered the target buildings, they encountered several armed men. Coalition forces used self-defense measures, killing five terrorists and detaining three suspected terrorists.

During the raid, coalition forces discovered an adjacent building was being used as an explosives factory. Inside the building, coalition forces found large-caliber ammunition and explosive manufacturing materials including numerous 50-gallon barrels of explosive material. Coalition forces conducted an air strike to destroy the explosives factory, associated vehicles, ammunition and weapons.

Elsewhere, Amiriyah police and Marines from Regimental Combat Team 6 engaged armed groups of al Qaeda for more than five hours today, killing eight insurgents and wounding five, south of Fallujah, near the town of Amiriyah.

Iraqi police posts observed sporadic enemy mortar fire for about one hour this morning. Marine artillery units assigned to RCT6 identified the location of the mortar team and counter-fired, forcing the al Qaeda in Iraq attackers to flee the scene. Amiriyah police then received sporadic enemy fire from an unknown number of insurgents. The police positively identified the enemy gunfire and returned fire, killing two insurgents and wounding five. Five policemen were wounded during the engagement.

Enemy fire continued sporadically throughout midday, when supporting fixed-wing aircraft engaged about 20 insurgents with guided munitions and strafing fire. Six insurgents were killed and their vehicles were destroyed as a result. The five wounded policemen were transported to a local hospital and treated.

In other operations, coalition forces destroyed a weapons cache and detained 23 suspected terrorists today during raids targeting foreign fighter facilitators and al Qaeda in Iraq networks.

During a raid near Balad, coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists and found a large amount of weapons in two targeted buildings. The weapons found included numerous machine guns, assault rifles, AK-47s, grenades, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and a DShK anti-aircraft heavy machine gun. Due to the large amount of weapons found, coalition forces destroyed the two buildings and the weapons inside to prevent further use by terrorists.

West of Taji, coalition forces captured three suspects with alleged ties to car bomb operations and foreign fighter facilitation.

Six suspected terrorists believed to be involved in foreign fighter facilitation were detained in Mosul.

Coalition forces also conducted a raid west of Abu Ghraib targeting foreign fighter facilitators. During the raid, ground forces detained four suspected terrorists at the targeted building.

In other developments, the western Ramadi district police conducted a massive police operation targeting insurgents yesterday in Ramadi. Coordinating between several stations within his district, Brig. Gen. Khalil Ibrahim Hamadi, chief of the Ramadi district police, personally led more than 500 policemen as they conducted house-to-house searches in the capital city of Anbar province.

"The sons of Ramadi work tirelessly to eradicate criminals and bring them to justice," Khalil said. "Today we achieved a noble goal in providing security and stability to our families and the people of Ramadi."

During the 10-hour operation, named "Operation Lions of Ramadi," police detained more than 45 suspected insurgents, confiscated propaganda material and discovered several caches containing assault rifles, machine guns, and mortar and artillery shells used to produce improvised explosive devices. Insurgents using an IED during the operation killed one civilian and injured five. The wounded were transported by local citizens to a nearby joint security station, then evacuated to a coalition medical facility for further treatment.

Elsewhere, at least four Iraqis were killed and 14 wounded when a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb yesterday in an eastern segment of the Iraqi capital. The attack occurred around 11:20 a.m. when a taxi packed with mortar rounds plowed into a crowd in the al-Sheik Omar area.

An Iraqi army element from 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, and soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, responded to the blast and sealed off the area to prevent residents from approaching any unexploded ordnance. The injured were treated on the spot before being transported for further medical care.

In another operation, coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists yesterday during raids targeting the al Qaeda in Iraq network.

In Mosul, seven suspected terrorists were detained with alleged ties to al Qaeda in Iraq and attacks against coalition forces and the Iraqi police. One of the detainees reportedly procures chemicals for the production of IEDs.

In another raid southwest of Abu Ghraib, coalition forces netted two suspected terrorists allegedly involved in moving foreign terrorists into Iraq.

A contraband-search-turned-firefight yielded two caches for Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers March 19 in Falahat, Iraq. Soldiers from Troop C, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, raided three buildings in Falahat, where they detained three suspected insurgents and confiscated two AK-47s, one shotgun and five magazines.

Troop C was preparing to enter a fourth building when a vehicle with four men drove by and fired weapons at the soldiers, who reciprocated with shots of their own. Three of the men fled the scene on foot but were captured by the soldiers. Follow-on searches yielded the day's second cache: one 122 mm artillery shell, four fuses, one grenade, four rocket sleds, four ammunition vests, one AK-47 and more than seven magazines.

In Ramadi, Iraqi police captured a suspected insurgent, reportedly linked to an IED cell, during operations with coalition advisors March 19. The suspect is allegedly involved in multiple bombing attacks targeting coalition forces and Iraqi security forces in the area. Iraqi forces detained three additional individuals for questioning.

Separately, Iraqi army soldiers took three terrorists into custody during an operation March 19 near Taqa. Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, detained the three men, who were found on a road that skirts the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, with materials for making IEDs.

In another operation, Iraqi and coalition forces conducted a raid in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Kadamiyah on March 19. The raid was targeting suspected insurgents implicated in the placement of roadside bombs in the area. During the raid, elements of the 3rd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, entered the Abass Mosque. No contraband was found in the mosque and about 50 people were held in the area until the search was complete. All 50 from within the mosque were released.

After the search, Iraqi and U.S. soldiers came under rocket-propelled-grenade and small-arms attack at about 9 p.m. from a separate group of 20 armed men in the same area. Coalition forces returned fire, killing three insurgents. Three men from the armed group were detained. U.S. military aircraft participated in the operation but did not expend any ordnance.
(Taken from a news article by DoD’s American Forces Press Service that was compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq and Multinational Force Iraq news releases)