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Iraq

US troops kill 28 Mahdi fighters in Sadr City - Hot scoop from Bill Roggio

2008-05-01

The apparent respite in yesterday's fighting was illusionary as US forces killed an additional 27 Mahdi Army fighters and a senior Special Groups leader during a series of engagements in the afternoon in Sadr City. One of the larger clashes occurred as US force were attacked while constructing the barrier that divides the southern portion of Sadr city where US and Iraqi troops have established a foothold. The fighting began just before noon as Mahdi Army fighters attacked US troops with rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire as they were building the concrete security barrier in Sadr City. US soldiers responded and killed three Mahdi fighters. Ten minutes later, US troops killed seven Mahdi Army fighters as they attacked the soldiers with mortars and machine guns. No US casualties were reported killed in either incident. US troops killed another 17 Mahdi Army fighters in a series of engagements throughout the day as they transported weapons, set up rockets for launching, planted roadside bombs, and attacked US troops in Sadr City. Coalition Special Forces also conducted a daylight strike today inside Sadr City. A Coalition airstrike targeted a "known Iranian-sponsored senior Special Groups leader" inside Sadr City this afternoon Baghdad time. "According to our operational reports the 'Special Groups leader' ... was killed," Multinational Forces Iraq responded in an email inquiry by The Long War Journal. The Special Groups are Iranian-trained, financed, and armed elements of the Mahdi Army. The Mahdi Army has taken heavy casualties in Sadr City since the fighting broke out on March 25. According to US and Iraqi reports compiled by The Long War Journal, 463 Mahdi Army fighters have been killed in and around Sadr City. These numbers do not include Mahdi Army fighters who may have died after receiving wounds during the fighting. A buildup in Sadr City The US and Iraqi military have rapidly built up their forces in and around Sadr City over the past several weeks. Two Iraqi Army brigades and elements from an Iraqi armored brigade and an Iraqi National Police brigade, along with eight US Army battalions have been reported in military press releases to be operating inside Sadr City over the past several weeks. In early April, only two US Army battalions, and Iraqi Army brigade, and elements from an Iraqi National Police brigade were known to be operating inside Sadr City. A US Army brigade, three Iraqi National Police brigades, and an Iraqi Army brigade are also operating in the neighborhoods adjacent to Sadr City. This unprecedented buildup of forces indicates the Iraqi government and the US military are serious about advancing into Sadr City beyond the southern third of the district being hemmed in by the security barriers being erected. Units Operating inside Sadr City: US Army: • 1st Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment • 4th Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division • 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) • 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armored Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division • 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division • 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division • 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division • 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division Iraqi Army: • 42nd Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division • 44th Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division • Elements from the 35th Tank Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Mechanized Division Iraqi Police: • Elements from the 8th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division

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Britain

UK police have finally found an al-Qaeda link to 7/7

2005-09-11

I say Holmes, how do you do it? British intelligence officials in Iraq are questioning an al-Qaeda operative after information relating to the 7 July London bombings was allegedly found on his computer drive. The man, who has not been named, was captured by US forces last month. He is understood to have had a portable computer drive on him that showed 'knowledge' of the attacks that killed 56 people. Colonel Robert Brown, commander of 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, in Mosul told a reporter in Iraq working for the news agency UPI about the arrest, but refused to discuss the specific nature of the information. However, a spokesman for US forces in Iraq confirmed that the information on the drive 'related to the London bombings and showed knowledge'. Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Boylan confirmed that both British and US intelligence are questioning the individual. Boylan said he was not yet in a position to confirm if the information on the computer amounted to plans of the intended attack drawn up prior to the bombing. If it does emerge that the al-Qaeda operative in Iraq had detailed plans of the Tube bombings, it could provide an important breakthrough in the investigation and provide more evidence of a direct link between the attacks and al-Qaeda in Iraq. Last week the Arab satellite television channel, al-Jazeera, broadcast a video of Mohammed Sidique Khan, the ringleader of the 7 July attacks, justifying the atrocities and praising Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the leader of the the Iraqi insurgency, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. The video was interspliced with claims by Zawahiri that al-Qaeda was responsible for the bombings. Saudi intelligence services have also claimed that the attacks might be linked to the insurgents in Iraq. Last month they claimed that a Saudi Islamic extremist captured returning to the Gulf kingdom from Iraq in December told them of plot to bomb the London Underground using four men. The Saudis said they warned British and US intelligence of this plan. British investigators still searching for a potential mastermind behind the London attacks are continuing to focus on Pakistan. At least three of the 7 July suicide bombers - Mohammad Sidique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer and Hasib Hussain - are believed to have travelled to Pakistan before the London attacks. There has been close liaison between the British and Pakistani authorities and intelligence services over what three of the four suicide bombers had been doing and who they had met in the months before the London bombings. On Friday, President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan confirmed for the first time that Tanweer, 23, attended a religious school in Lahore linked to militants, but played down reports that he had been indoctrinated in Pakistan.

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Iraq-Jordan

Al-Qaeda leader in Mosul arrested

2005-07-29

US troops said they had captured a cell leader of the al-Qaeda in Iraq terror organisation. Ammar Abu Bara, alias Amar Hussein Hasan, was arrested on Wednesday in Mosul, Iraq's third largest city, by troops of the Army's 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, a US statement said. The statement said Abu Bara was taken into custody during a cordon and search operation in a neighbourhood in northern Mosul. Is that part of Operation Rat Gnaw? Or is this a different operation? Abu Bara replaced Abu Talha, former terror cell leader for the Mosul area who was arrested last month, the statement added.

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Iraq-Jordan

Asst'd Stryker News - Iraq

2005-05-01

Mosul - In another case of blatant disregard for Iraqi citizens a car bomb was detonated at the funeral of a family member of a Ninewah Provincial Council member in Tal Afar today. Initial reports indicate approximately 25 innocent Iraqi citizens were killed in the blast and approximately 50 were injured. Officials are continuing to investigate the scene of the attack. It is believed that the Provincial Council member was not injured in the attack. Mosul - Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) seized two large weapons caches during operations in northern Iraq today. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment seized a large weapons cache during a search operation in northern Mosul. The cache included two automatic rifles, eight AK-47s, a sniper rifle, six grenades, four rockets, 16 rocket propelled grenades, two RPG launchers, 2 mortar rounds, and over a thousand rounds of small arms ammunition. Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment seized a large weapons cache during a search operation southwest of Qayyarah. The cache included 611 mortar rounds and a large amount of propellant. All weapons and ammunition were confiscated for future destruction. Mosul - Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) detained 15 suspected terrorists and seized a number of weapons during operations in northern Iraq today and Saturday. Troops from the 102nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade Iraqi Army alongside Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment detained six individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a cordon and search operation south of Qayyarah today. Suspects are in custody with no ISF or MNF injuries reported. Troops from the 24th Battalion, 6th Brigade Iraqi Intervention Force seized a number of weapons including nine artillery rounds and explosives while patrolling in southern Mosul Saturday. Weapons were confiscated for future destruction. Soldiers from the 1-24th detained six individuals suspected of terrorist activity during a raid in southwestern Mosul today. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment detained three individuals suspected of terrorist activity during two operations in southern Mosul Saturday. Suspects are in custody with no MNF injuries reported.

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Iraq-Jordan

Reporter Shot

2005-04-06

Soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) killed a terrorist and injured a reporter today during an incident in northeastern Mosul, Iraq, military officials reported. A news release from Multinational Force Iraq said soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, killed a man waving an AK-47 rifle and inciting a crowd of civilians at the site of an earlier suicide bombing. "During the engagement an individual appearing to have a weapon was standing near the terrorist and was shot and injured. This individual turned out to be a reporter who was pointing a video camera," the news release reported. The reporter was taken to a military hospital for treatment with minor wounds and is expected to recover, the news release said, calling the incident a "complex and volatile situation." The incident is under investigation.

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Iraq-Jordan

Ambushers Ambushed?

2005-03-30

Coalition Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), conducted an operation in northern Iraq March 29. Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment engaged the vehicle of a known terrorist with small-arms fire killing a terrorist and injuring another in Tal Afar. The 2-14th also seized a number of weapons found in the vehicle to include a machine gun, two AK-47s, two hand grenades and six rocket propelled grenade rounds. The injured terrorist was taken to a hospital and will be detained after being treated. No injuries to Coalition Forces were reported during the operation.

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Iraq-Jordan

Insurgents Attack Again From Eastern Mosul Mosque and Other News

2005-01-16

For the second straight day, insurgents firing from a mosque in eastern Mosul targeted multinational forces in Iraq, military officials in Baghdad reported today. Task Force Olympia soldiers with the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Combat Team), were patrolling when their convoy came under attack by insurgents firing rocket-propelled grenades and small arms from the Rashan Mosque. Insurgents had attacked multinational forces and Iraqi security forces from the same mosque Jan. 14. No injuries were reported from the either attack. Iraqi security forces have increased the number of troops in northern Iraq in an effort to provide "enhanced security and stability for the Jan. 30 elections," officials said. About 4,000 Iraqi security forces, including Iraqi National Guard soldiers, are in the Mosul area. The ING has been folded into the regular Iraqi army. In Mosul today, soldiers of the 106th Iraqi National Guard detained six people suspected on insurgent activity and confiscated weapons and ammunition. On Jan. 14, Iraqi forces and soldiers from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Striker Combat Team), detained 16 individuals and confiscated weapons, ammunition, and bomb equipment during operations in northern Iraq. Military officials in Baghdad said in a written statement that "with each seizure and removal of dangerous weapons and detention of anti-Iraqi insurgents, the situation is becoming safer." In news elsewhere, three suspected insurgents were detained in a raid on a house in Abayach, near the site where an improvised explosive device was found Jan. 14. A search of the house uncovered insurgent propaganda and a possible IED detonator. The suspects were taken to Multinational Force Iraq detention facilities. The 2nd Iraqi Ministry of the Interior Commando Battalion detained another suspect in a raid near Samarra. The commandos confiscated two AK-47 assault rifles, a submachine gun and five AK-47 magazines in the raid. The detainee was taken in for questioning. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, coalition forces recovered two weapons caches Jan. 14. The first contained three RPG launchers, three RPGs, an RPK machine gun and an AK-47. The second cache contained four 25 mm anti-aircraft gun barrels, four 25 mm receivers and 130 cans of ammunition with 32 rounds per can. Both caches were turned over to Afghan police.

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Iraq-Jordan

On-going operations to stabilize the situation in Mosul and northern Iraq

2004-11-14

Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) continue operations to root out remaining pockets of anti-Iraqi force resistance and return stability to northern Iraq. Three days ago, a number of groups ranging in size from 15-50 AIF insurgents moved through the city conducting attacks on police stations, Iraqi government facilities and other fixed sites. During this time the fighting was intense, but together with the Iraqi National Guard and Multi-National Forces, many of the insurgents were defeated. Sporadic fighting followed on Friday and Saturday. Despite reports from satellite channels in the region, Multi-National Forces have not withdrawn from Mosul and the local Iraqi Government, led by Governor Duraid Kashmoula, is clearly in control. During an interview last night with Arab satellite channel Alhurra, Brig. Gen. Carter F. Ham said the situation is improving as Iraqi Police return to work and the ING remain strong conducting operations in the area. During operations to root out the small remaining pockets of resistance, Multi-National Forces conducted a cordon and search in central Mosul and detained insurgents wanted for planning and conducting attacks against Iraqi Security and Multi-National Forces in Mosul. The suspects are in custody with no injuries reported during the operation. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment conducted a cordon and search operation in the west Mosul marketplace of Al Ma'ash and detained three terrorists wanted for planning and conducting anti-Iraqi activities in that area. The suspects are in custody with no injuries reported during the operation. Soldiers from the 276th Engineer Battalion killed three insurgents during their operation to guard a southern bridge in Mosul. During the operation, insurgents attacked Soldiers with small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire from a nearby building on the west bank of the Tigris River. Soldiers quickly returned fire eliminating the threat. One soldier was slightly wounded and later returned to duty. Iraqi Security forces and MNF have always retained control of Mosul bridges. Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment and ING soldiers were attacked with small arms fire in the neighborhood of Al Thubat. 3-21 Soldiers along with the ING maneuvered in the direction of contact eliminating the threat. No U.S. or ING soldiers were injured during the operation. Comparisons made between Fallujah and Mosul are inaccurate. Iraqi Security forces and Multi-National Forces move in and out of every neighborhood in Mosul. Only a small number of terrorists are operating in the city of over 2 million and resistance is sporadic. Joint operations between the ISF and MNF will continue as necessary to maintain law and order.

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