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Iraq

Three terrorists killed, 18 suspects detained in Coalition raids

2007-09-08

Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained 18 suspected terrorists during operations Thursday and Friday to disrupt the senior leadership of al-Qaeda in Iraq in central and northern parts of the country. Coalition forces conducted two operations in Diyala province Friday targeting the senior leadership of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Based on intelligence from an operation Sep. 4, the ground forces raided several buildings associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the northern belts around Baghdad, who oversees bombing, kidnapping and illegal court operations. When Coalition forces called to the target building’s occupants to come out, they refused to comply with the interpreter’s instructions. After repeated requests, the men inside the building sent the women and children out to safety but refused to come out themselves. Coalition forces escalated their level of force against the hostile threat and engaged the men, killing two. As they entered the building to secure it, another man lunged toward the assault force. Responding to the hostile threat, Coalition forces engaged the man, killing him. Four suspected terrorists were detained on the site, and the ground forces destroyed four vehicles used to facilitate the movement of terrorists. In the other raid, intelligence gained during an operation Aug. 30 led Coalition forces to Baqubah, where they targeted the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader of the city. The ground forces detained two suspected terrorists in the operation. Coalition forces also targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader in Baghdad, who oversees one of the car-bombing networks there. The ground forces detained four suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the network, and discovered bomb-making materials, which they safely destroyed on site. Two coordinated raids Thursday and Friday targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq operational cells in Mosul. Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists, including a suspected cell member who led the ground forces to the alleged cell leader, who was also detained. “We’re continuously assaulting al-Qaeda in Iraq to bring down not only their senior leaders, but also the networks that conduct vicious attacks against the Iraqi people,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

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Iraq

Three terrorists killed, 17 suspects detained in Coalition raids

2007-08-26

Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained 17 suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq activities in the Tigris River Valley Coalition Forces raided several buildings north of Muqdadiyah seeking the area’s al-Qaeda in Iraq media emir. As the assault force moved to secure the five buildings, they encountered three armed men, each in a different room, who drew their weapons on the assault force. In each case, Coalition Forces defended against the hostile threat and engaged the armed men, killing them. The ground forces also discovered bomb-making materials, which an explosives team destroyed on site. One suspected terrorist was detained. Coalition Forces used information from operations Jul. 14 and Aug. 2 to capture a suspected terrorist financier northeast of Samarra. The individual is believed to provide money for weapons and other support to foreign terrorists in the Tigris River Valley. Coalition Forces also captured a suspected associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in Salah ad Din province. Intelligence reports indicate the individual moved to Bayji to help al-Qaeda in Iraq set up operations there. Coalition Forces detained six more suspected terrorists during the raid. Coalition Forces continued their assault against the bombing networks in Baghdad with two operations around the city. The ground forces captured an alleged terrorist cell leader in the Arab Jabour area, believed to oversee 20 explosives experts, and five of his suspected associates. Based on information from operations on Aug. 15 and Aug. 24, Coalition Forces targeted a bomb maker during a pre-dawn operation in western Baghdad. When the ground forces requested for occupants to come out of the target building, two men exited and were taken into Coalition Forces custody. To secure the area, the ground forces entered the building, which was a Red Crescent facility. Inside, Coalition Forces took great care to protect the facility’s resources before determining the building was secure and leaving. “Terrorists, especially Al Qaeda in Iraq and members of the bombing networks, continue to misuse protected sites and hide among the Iraqi population,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “Coalition Forces respect the special status of Red Crescent facilities and workers and take their commitment to the Geneva Conventions very seriously.”

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Iraq

Execution site discovered, eight suspects detained

2007-08-26

Coalition Forces uncovered a terrorist execution site and a building suspected of being a car bomb factory during an operation Aug. 21-23 south of Baghdad. As Coalition Forces entered the Arab Jabour area, they immediately received small arms fire. The assault force returned fire, killing one terrorist. During the 24-hour operation, Coalition Forces discovered an area used by terrorists as an execution and dumping site. The ground forces found human skulls, decomposing bodies and bones wrapped in bloody clothes. Wild dogs were rampant around the area, which was characterized by a crater where most of the human remains were dumped. Inside a nearby building, the ground forces found blood spatter and other signs indicating executions had taken place there. In another building, Coalition Forces found several improvised explosive devices in the area and a weapons cache that included trigger wires. Intelligence reports indicate that al-Qaeda in Iraq operates in the area, and weapons caches in the area contain materials used in the Baghdad car-bombing network. Local Iraqis helped Coalition Forces find a stash of homemade explosives and a building that was suspected of being a car bomb factory. Inside the compound, the ground forces found numerous items used to make and mix homemade explosives for use in car bombs. An air strike destroyed the explosives cache. Eight suspected terrorists were detained during the operation for their association with al-Qaeda in Iraq and conducting terrorist activities in the Arab Jabour region. “Al-Qaeda in Iraq members are ruthless terrorists who brutalize, torture, and murder innocent Iraqis in their campaign of senseless terror,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue to hunt down and kill or capture these brutal terrorists who seek to deny Iraqis a future of their choice.”

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Iraq

Two terrorists killed, 18 suspects detained in raids against car bomb networks

2007-08-25

Coalition Forces delivered several blows to al-Qaeda in Iraq’s car bombing networks Friday, killing two terrorists and detaining 18 suspected terrorists during operations in central and northern Iraq. Information from a raid in Baghdad Aug. 15 led Coalition Forces to a weapons facilitator in the city. Two men in the targeted building refused to comply with the interpreter’s instructions and made threatening movements toward the assault force. Coalition Forces defended against the hostile threat and engaged the two men, killing both. One of the men was identified as the weapons trafficker sought in the raid. Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist from the scene. Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained nine suspected terrorists associated with two high-profile bombing attacks during operations in Kirkuk and Tikrit. In Kirkuk, Iraqi and Coalition Forces targeted a member of the local car-bombing cell who is believed to have used his house to store the truck bombs used in the July 16 attack that killed 80 people. The ground forces detained four suspected terrorists linked to the cell. Coalition Forces also targeted associates of Haytham Sabah al-Badri who participated in the Samarra Golden Mosque bombing. Coalition Forces detained five suspected terrorists during the operation and found an 80-pound bag of Iraqi money. In Mosul, Coalition Forces conducted two raids targeting the suicide bombing network there. A precision raid nabbed a suspected expert car bomb maker in charge of all suicide bombers in the area. During another raid, Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists linked to a safe house operator who shelters suicide bombers for attacks in Ninewa and Dahuk provinces. During a raid in the Tarmiyah area, Coalition Forces captured a suspected senior operative of a bombing network whose leader was killed during an operation Aug. 20. Three additional suspects were detained for their ties to the bombing network. “Each operation presents us the next piece of intelligence, the next target, the next mission to capture and disrupt the networks conducting brutal and indiscriminate attacks against Iraqis,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We’re pursuing them relentlessly – we want to stop them before they can strike.”

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Iraq

Al-Qaeda disrupted in Tigris River Valley: 7 terrorists killed, 12 suspects detained

2007-08-25

Coalition Forces killed seven terrorists and detained 12 suspected terrorists during operations Friday to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in central and northern Iraq. Coalition Forces returned to an area east of Tarmiyah where they killed 13 terrorists and captured 12 suspects last week during an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell in the area. Local Iraqis who had helped Coalition Forces target the cell last week continued to provide information about terrorist operations there. Upon the assault force’s arrival on the scene, two armed men engaged them with small arms fire. Coalition Forces returned fire in self defense, killing the two terrorists. As the assault force continued to secure the group of buildings, they encountered five separate armed men, each attempting to barricade himself in a room. In each case, when the armed men drew their weapons, Coalition Forces defended against the hostile threat and engaged them, killing all five. Inside one of the buildings, the ground forces found fighting positions carved out of the structure. Coalition Forces detained four suspected terrorists, and assess that nine individuals identified by name in intelligence reports had been killed or captured. “With the help of the Iraqi community, we basically crippled this cell,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We’ll continue working with local citizens to dismantle the rest of the networks that threaten the security of Iraq.” Three other operations in the Tigris River Valley rounded up eight suspected terrorists. In Mosul, Coalition Forces detained two suspects while targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who issues orders to attack Kurds, Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces, and is believed to be a key recruiter for al-Qaeda in Iraq. Near Taji, information from an operation Aug. 17 helped Coalition Forces target a weapons facilitator who is associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. The ground forces detained four suspected terrorists during the raid. North of there, an operation to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq’s influence in Bayji netted two suspected terrorists allegedly tied to the top terrorist leaders in the area.

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Iraq

One terrorist killed, 10 suspects detained in Coalition operations

2007-08-24

Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons and leadership networks. During an operation north of Baqubah, Coalition Forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader and two other suspected terrorists. Intelligence reports indicate the cell leader was a terrorist weapons facilitator and has been watching a Coalition Forces base, possibly to plan an attack. During the operation, the ground forces observed a man maneuvering around them and passing information about the assault force to additional enemy elements. Coalition Forces, responding to the threat against the force, engaged the man, killing him. Coalition Forces captured two targeted individuals and detained two other suspected terrorists during coordinated raids in Bayji. One of the suspects is an alleged safe house operator and meeting coordinator for senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Another suspect is believed to be second-in-command to the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of Bayji, who is linked to several attacks against Coalition Forces. In Mosul, Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid looking for an al-Qaeda in Iraq improvised explosive device facilitator, who is believed to receive, store and assemble IEDs at his home. The ground forces detained one suspected terrorist. Coalition Forces also detained one suspected terrorist during a raid on a farm complex north of Muqdadiyah targeting members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq anti-aircraft cell. “Our operations continue to target terrorist leaders and their resources,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We are on the offensive to keep al-Qaeda from making headline-grabbing attacks against the Iraqi people.”

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Iraq

Iraqi tips aid Coalition Forces; ops kill 5 terrs, detain 11

2007-08-22

Coalition Forces killed five terrorists and detained 11 suspected terrorists during three operations in central and northern Iraq Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and its supporting terror networks. Iraqi civilians west of Baqubah reported that al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives had moved into the area and forced civilians out of their homes. Coalition Forces moved into the area to conduct an operation targeting a terrorist facilitator believed to operate a safe house for terrorist meetings. An assault force element moved into the target buildings to secure them, but encountered two armed men inside who drew their weapons. Coalition Forces engaged and killed the men. Another armed man emerged from a nearby building with a weapon aimed at the assault force. Coalition Forces responded in self-defense and engaged the armed man, killing him. When surveillance teams observed armed men maneuvering to a small palm grove near the assault force, Coalition Forces attempted to call them out of their fighting positions, but the enemy fighters did not comply. Coalition Forces responded appropriately to the armed hostile threat and engaged with small arms fire while close air support aircraft engaged the armed men with machine gun fire. Ground forces assess one terrorist was killed in the engagement. At the scene, the ground forces discovered improvised explosive devices and safely disarmed them. Five suspected terrorists were detained. In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured a Syrian who allegedly facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists and supports an al-Qaeda in Iraq bomb-manufacturing network. Receiving small arms fire when they arrived on the objective, the assault force returned fire. The ground forces assessed one suspected terrorist was wounded, and four suspects were detained for their ties to the bomb-making cell. Intelligence reports indicate the cell was planning a large-scale attack in the Husaybah area. Using information gained during an operation Jul. 26, Coalition Forces raided a series of buildings south of Kirkuk targeting a close associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader. Upon arrival at the scene, surveillance teams observed one man moving into position against the assault force. Coalition Forces, responding appropriately to the hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him. The ground forces detained two suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the terrorist leader. “Iraqis are making it clear they do not support al-Qaeda in Iraq, nor do they want terrorists in their communities,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “With their help, we will continue our assault on al-Qaeda in Iraq and its terror networks.”

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Iraq

Two terrorists killed, 16 detained in operations against al-Qaeda in Iraq

2007-08-19

Coalition Forces killed two terrorists and detained 16 suspected terrorists during operations in central and northern Iraq Saturday targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and its bombing networks. Coalition Forces raided two buildings in Baghdad looking for a senior leader of the car bombing network there. As the ground forces arrived at the target location, a man came out of the building brandishing a weapon. Coalition Forces, responding appropriately to the hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him. Another armed man maneuvered onto the roof of a nearby building, and Coalition Forces engaged the second armed man as well, killing him. In a related operation, Coalition Forces attacked the car bombing network during a raid in Tarmiyah targeting associates of the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the northern belts around Baghdad. The emir has directed car bombing and suicide attacks against Iraqi civilians. Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists for their alleged involvement with the network. In Salah ad Din province, Coalition Forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and their foreign connections. During a raid in Bayji, ground forces captured an alleged weapons and logistics facilitator and one additional suspected terrorist. A precision raid in Tikrit nabbed an individual believed to be a senior al-Qaeda in Iraq operative believed to move large amounts of explosives and foreign terrorists into Iraq. Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained five suspected terrorists southwest of Kirkuk based on information gained from an operation that killed three foreign terrorists Jun. 23 south of Hawija. The detainees are believed to be associated with senior-level advisers and leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq. In Mosul, Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists based on information gathered from operations earlier in the week. The two suspects are believed to have ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. "We are constantly assaulting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network, from the highest levels of leadership to the operatives who carry out attacks," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "We will continue to target them until the people of Iraq can forge their own future without the threat of vicious and indiscriminate attacks."

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Iraq

13 terrorists killed, 12 suspects detained east of Tarmiyah

2007-08-18

Coalition Forces killed 13 terrorists and detained 12 suspected terrorists east of Tarmiyah Friday during an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader who provides guidance to senior terrorist leaders. As Coalition Forces approached the targeted area, they immediately received heavy small arms fire from several buildings in the area. The ground forces returned fire, but when the enemy did not yield, Coalition Forces called for close air support. Enemy fire continued from other areas and ground forces used small arms and rocket launchers to return fire. Still under fire, Coalition Forces moved to secure individual buildings. Despite the ground forces' repeated calls to come out of the building, hostile occupants of one building refused to comply. The assault force called for them to send out any noncombatants to be taken to a safe area, but again the armed terrorists did not comply. Coalition Forces escalated their level of force, including using airborne firepower against the enemy, until four armed terrorists emerged from the building firing at the ground forces. The four terrorists, including a female wearing a ski mask and wielding a rifle, were killed by aircraft and sniper fire. Secondary explosions erupted from the building after it was engaged by the aircraft, indicating explosives stored inside. The ground forces, still taking fire from enemy positions, called in an additional force to help repel the terrorists' attack. The assault force continued to secure individual buildings as aircraft and additional units suppressed enemy fighters with small arms fire. Coalition Forces assessed that aircraft and sniper fire killed nine more terrorists in the fighting. Additionally, despite Coalition Forces' appeals for the terrorists to send out women and children to be taken to safety, a boy was killed in a building with an armed terrorist who had engaged the ground forces. "Terrorists continue to put innocent children in harm's way when they make bystanders unwitting participants in their illegal activities," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "Their disregard for human life is contrary to the values of decent people everywhere." The ground forces detained 12 suspected terrorists during the operation.

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Iraq

14 suspects detained for ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders

2007-08-18

Coalition Forces detained 14 suspected terrorists Thursday and Friday around central and northern Iraq during continuing operations to remove senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Coalition Forces conducted three precision raids in and around Baghdad. Thursday, ground forces captured an individual suspected of leading an al-Qaeda in Iraq car bombing cell. Friday, Coalition Forces captured a suspected terrorist with ties to senior terrorist leaders in Baghdad. Near Taji, ground forces captured an alleged weapons facilitator working for al-Qaeda in Iraq's emir of the northern belts around Baghdad and detained two additional suspects. In Salah ad Din province, Coalition Forces also targeted senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq during three operations Thursday and Friday. During a precision raid Thursday west of Balad, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting an individual associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of northern Iraq who allegedly facilitates the movement of terrorist leaders. Five suspected terrorists were detained during operations Friday near Balad and Samarra targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq communications network and an al-Qaeda leader known to conduct car bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion. Based on information from suspects detained earlier in the week, Coalition Forces conducted an operation Friday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and their associates in Mosul. The ground forces detained three individuals with alleged ties to the terrorist leaders. "Al-Qaeda is feeling the pressure of our operations, and we're relentlessly pursuing the top levels of terrorist leaders," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "We will continue to target and then capture or kill the terrorists who direct and conduct brutal attacks against Iraqis."

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Iraq

Coalition Forces Kill Three, Detain Six, Capturing a High-Priority Special Groups Weapons Smuggler

2007-08-17

Coalition Forces captured a highly sought Special Groups weapons facilitator before dawn Thursday northeast of Baghdad. Coalition Forces conducted a raid to capture a known weapons smuggler and distributor connected to various Special Groups. The captured high priority individual was responsible for smuggling explosively formed penetrators (EFP), Katusha rockets and other weapons from Iran into Iraq. The target was also responsible for the distribution of those weapons to Special Groups and extremist militants operating throughout Baghdad. The weapons smuggler had direct ties to senior militant leaders and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force. On the approach to the objective, Coalition Forces were fired upon by three armed gunmen. Coalition Forces returned fire, killing the three gunmen. Five others detained during the raid are suspected of distributing weapons smuggled into Iraq from Iran. Four of the detainees tested positive for explosives residue. One of the buildings searched during the raid produced money and questionable documents that were confiscated for analysis and evaluation. "Coalition troops continue to target terrorists who bring weapons and explosives, especially explosively formed penetrators, and other aid into Iraq," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "Coalition Forces will continue their focused operations against unhelpful Iranian influence interfering in Iraq. We remain committed to dismantling terror networks that seek to kill innocent Iraqis and the security forces that protect them."

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Iraq

Six terrorists killed, 5 suspects detained in coordinated operations

2007-08-17

Coalition Forces killed six terrorists and detained 26 suspected terrorists linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq during coordinated operations east of Balad the week of Aug. 9-14. Coalition Forces conducted the two operations to disrupt terrorist operations in the area. During a 24-hour operation Aug. 10, they found a small cache of machine gun rounds and components used to make improvised explosive devices. The ground forces detained 21 suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq. Several women on the scene wept while the men were detained. They told ground forces they were crying because they were happy that their sheikh, who had been run out by terrorists, could return to the community. Coalition Forces followed up the 24-hour operation with a precision raid Aug. 14. As they began the operation, surveillance teams observed several men maneuvering into a previously secured area near the assault force. Coalition Forces, responding to the organized enemy force, requested close air support to engage the men. After the air strike, ground forces assessed six terrorists were killed in the engagement, and detained five suspected terrorists on the scene. "Terrorists cannot conceal themselves in small villages, disrupting the lives of Iraqi citizens," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "There are no safe havens for terrorists here -- we will continue to seek them out wherever they hide."

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