Iraqi, U.S. patrols seize 126 terror suspects, weapons
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Coalition Forces, often teaming up with Iraqi Army Soldiers, conducted 69 cordon and search operations and raids against anti-Iraqi forces over the past four days, seizing 126 terror suspects and seven weapons caches in and around the capital city.
Additionally, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers and members of the Iraqi Security forces conducted 3,000 combat patrols to provide security for local businesses and citizens.
In one of the larger combat operations, a joint patrol of Iraqi Police and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers found terrorists hiding in a building in the Mansour district of central Baghdad at 9:40 a.m. Sept. 21.
An Iraqi Army patrol in the area came to assist the combined patrol, while U.S. attack helicopters provided air support.
When the firing stopped, a weapons cache containing rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms ammunition, 35 mortar rounds and rockets, one mortar tube, 27 RPGs, three roadside bombs, and five cell phones was found.
Five terrorists were killed in the assault.
Another Task Force Baghdad patrol working in western Baghdad found a large weapons cache on the outskirts of western Baghdad the morning of Sept. 24. The cache consisted of 11 roadside bombs, one mortar tube and 14 mortar rounds, one artillery round, TNT and plastic explosives.
Combined Iraqi Army and U.S. patrols also found an additional 33 rocket, mortar and artillery rounds; 15 rifles with 275 magazines and ammunition, two missiles, 16 grenades, and four pistols in other weapons caches hidden throughout the city.
1,000 security detainees to be released from Abu Ghraib
ABU GHRAIB, Iraq – In the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, the Iraqi government requested a special release board and worked with Multi-National Forces to expedite the release of more than 1,000 security detainees from Abu Ghraib.
The release will take place over the next week with the first 500 detainees released on Sept. 26.
These detainees were selected for release following a careful and thorough review of their files by a special Iraqi-led review board which determined they had not committed serious crimes against Iraqi forces, the citizens of Iraq or Coalition Forces.
Deputy Prime Minister Abed Motlaq Al-Jabouri will be present for the release to emphasize the importance of being a good Iraqi citizen and treating each other with respect and kindness, especially during Ramadan.
The special review board carefully reviewed hundreds of files and voted to release those not guilty of serious, violent crimes such as bombing, torture, kidnapping or murder. These detainees have confessed to their crimes, renounced violence and pledged to be good citizens of Iraq.
This release is an acknowledgment by the Iraqi government and MNF-I of the importance of the holy month of Ramadan. The Iraqi government and MNF-I decided to release the detainees to allow them to be with families and loved ones to celebrate the holy month and to help in the process of building a new Iraq.
This release is the largest to date and marks another milestone achieved in the Iraqis’ progress toward democratic governance and the rule of law.
Foreign fighter safe haven destroyed
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition air forces conducted an air strike and destroyed an al Qaeda in Iraq foreign fighter safe house in al-Ushsh, Iraq, Sept. 26, at about 1:30 a.m.
Multiple intelligence sources and information from concerned citizens directed Multi-National forces to the safe house. In the house was Abu Nasir, a senior al Qaeda in Iraq foreign fighter facilitator and the alleged new al Qaeda in Iraq Emir of Karabilah. Nasir was linked to other al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists and foreign fighter facilitators in the Hit, al Qaim, Karabilah and Husaybah areas.
Nasir’s presence in the safe house during the air strike was indicated by intelligence. Additionally, there were a large number of terrorists and foreign fighters present at the safe house. About 20 armed male terrorists and foreign fighters were identified at the location prior to the air strike.
The type of munitions used, and the time the air strike was conducted, mitigated the risk to civilians in the local area.
Unconfirmed reports alleged that Nasir recently became the al Qaeda in Iraq Emir of Karabilah, where he assumed control of all terrorist operations in the area. These operations include vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and individual explosive device bombings, mortar attacks, ambushes, and other direct attacks against Iraqi security and Coalition forces.
Nasir is also known to have al Qaeda connections in the region that include links to Syria, where all of his foreign fighters are funneled prior to their arrival in Iraq. Once in Iraq, they are sent to various groups and cells to attack Iraqi citizens, Iraqi security forces and Coalition forces.
Al Farazdk school renovated
AL FARAZDK, Iraq – Bulgarian Soldiers from Multi-National Division Central-South held a ceremony to commemorate the completion of a school renovation project near Ad Diwaniyah Sept. 24.
Soldiers from Bulgaria’s 3rd Battle Group renovated classrooms, electrical wiring and plumbing. Renovations at the school in Al Farazdk, near Afak, also included a new fence for the school.
Civil-Military specialists in the division have completed more than 500 educational projects worth more than $14,000,000.
Iraqi, U.S. Forces bring calm following recent attack
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition and Iraqi security forces came under fire in Sadr City in the early morning hours Sept. 25.
Iraqi security forces were conducting a mission to capture three insurgents suspected of working in a kidnapping and torture cell. The three suspects were not found or captured but missions to find them will continue.
Iraqi security forces were ambushed at several locations while conducting the operation. Nearby Coalition Forces on routine patrols responded to reinforce the Iraqi forces. Coalition and Iraqi forces returned fire and killed five to eight of the armed assailants. The engagement lasted about 90 minutes. No suspects were detained and no Coalition or Iraqi forces were injured.
Over the past year Coalition Forces have been working closely with Sadr City leaders to establish a secure environment and to allow Iraqis to proceed with the Constitutional Referendum.
“I am concerned about the events early this morning, but I do not believe this action reflects a pattern of change leading to more violence,” said Col. Joseph DiSalvo, Commander of Coalition Forces in East Baghdad.
“I am working with Iraqi leaders in Sadr City to keep the situation calm. Terrorists in Sadr City or elsewhere have no safe haven. We will aggressively pursue all leads against the terrorists. My mission is to find the terrorists and keep Iraq safe and that is what we will do.”
As DiSalvo drove through the city this morning he found the situation calm. “Iraqi security forces and the Coalition will continue routine patrolling,” said DiSalvo.
2 people have spoken:
It's good to see people posting the "other" news from Iraq. I put a similar post up today, shortly before I found your blog, on news stories I didn't see here in America. Thanks for talking about something other than what the terrorists are doing.
Yeah, we get enough of the negative stuff via the left wing news - ie the BBC-.
Like your blog by the way.
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