** But first one less terrorist. Well done Pakistan.
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Egyptian-born Abu Hamza Rabia, described as al-Qaeda's operational commander, was among five men killed in a raid in North Waziristan on Thursday.
A Pakistani newspaper quotes local residents as saying they were killed in a missile attack on their house.
Tens of thousands of Pakistani soldiers are deployed along the border as part of the hunt for al-Qaeda militants.
The killing of Hamza Rabia was first published in Pakistan's English-language Dawn newspaper on Friday.
Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid has since confirmed the report.
"I confirm that Abu Hamza Rabia, the Egyptian, has been killed," he is quoted as saying by Reuters.
According to the report in Dawn, officials said the five militants were killed when an explosion destroyed their house.
But the newspaper said local tribal residents said the house was destroyed after missiles were fired from an unmanned "air vehicle" or drone.
Abu Hamza Rabia is described as the operational commander of al-Qaeda.
He is believed to have worked closely with Libyan Abu Faraj al-Libbi, the head of al-Qaeda's international operations wing, until the latter's capture in May.
Iraqi and U.S. forces detain 18 suspected terrorists
TIKRIT, Iraq – Eighteen terrorists were taken off the streets Dec. 1 as Iraqi and U.S. forces continue to hunt down and detain terrorists hiding in the north-central region of Iraq.
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team apprehended two terrorists near Daquq after watching them attempt to emplace an IED. The IED detonated as the men were placing it, injuring both men. The terrorists were taken to a local hospital, where one later died of his wounds form the IED.
The Soldiers searched the terrorists’ vehicle and found a second IED the terrorists had planned to emplace. An explosive ordnance disposal team was called in and detonated the IED safely, destroying it and the vehicle.
Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division conducted a search of the Dali Abbas market neat Al Muqdadiyah to eliminate an IED cell operating in the area. Ten suspected terrorists were detained.
Another 2-5 IA unit detained two men in a raid near Baqubah Dec. 1. The suspected terrorists were taken for questioning.
Task Force 5-7 Cavalry troopers detained four terrorists near Balad after catching them with IED-detonating devices early Dec. 1.
Operation Shank begins in Ramadi
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq — Approximately 200 Iraqi Army soldiers from 1st Brigade, 7th Division and 300 Marines from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, launched Operation Harba (Shank) today in Ar Ramadi.
Operation Shank is the fifth in a series of operations by the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces conducting combined clearing operations to disrupt the insurgency and set the conditions for a successful Dec. 15 election in the Al Anbar provincial capital of Ar Ramadi.
The purpose of the operation is to disrupt a terrorist group that utilizes an area of Ramadi as its base for attacks on local Ramadi citizens, Iraqi and U.S. military.
Since Nov. 16, Iraqi and U.S. Forces actions resulted in numerous terrorists killed or detained, to include Imad Salih Al-Fahdawi, a known terrorist involved in attacks against government officials and imams; and Khamis Manfi Hammud Al Klaibawi, a truck driver responsible for placing roadside bombs on the streets of Ramadi.
Additionally, Operations Panthers, Bruins, Lions and Tigers were successful in discovering numerous weapons caches, which collectively contained surface- to-air missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, rockets, mortar and artillery rounds, hand grenades, landmines, small arms and ammunition, and bomb-making equipment.
New Iraqi Air Force marks major milestone
BAGHDAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Iraq – An all Iraqi aircrew flew their first solo mission aboard a C-130E from Ali Air Base to New Al Muthana Nov. 28.
The nine aircrew members are part the 23rd Iraqi Squadron, which have been receiving training at Ali AB. They performed an engine running on-load prior to returning to Ali AB.
“The flight marked a major milestone achievement by showing Iraq’s capability of providing its own military transport,” said Air Force Capt. Jerry Ruiz, Forward Operations executive officer at New Al Muthana.
New Al Muthana is the only Iraqi Air Base in the country and will be home to three C-130E aircraft. The 23rd IS will move to their new home here in January.
Information Operations critical to success in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Recent news coverage concerning Information Operations in Iraq has generated concerns regarding military communication objectives and procedures.
The information battlespace in Iraq is contested at all times and is filled with misinformation and propaganda by an enemy intent on discrediting the Iraqi government and the Coalition, and they are taking every opportunity to instill fear and intimidate the Iraqi people.
Information Operations is an essential tool for commanders to ensure the Iraqi population has current, truthful and reliable information.
As part of our operations, we have offered articles for publication to Iraqi newspapers, and in some cases articles have been accepted and published as a function of buying advertising and opinion/editorial space, as is customary in Iraq. Third parties have been employed in an effort to mitigate the risk to publishers. The procedures for doing so undergo policy and legal review to ensure compliance with the law and regulations.
Serious allegations have been raised that suggest the process may be functioning in a manner different than is intended or appropriate. MNF-I is reviewing these allegations and will investigate any improprieties. If any part of our process that does not have our full confidence, we will examine that activity and take appropriate action. If any contractor is failing to perform as we have intended, we will take appropriate action.
Information operations are powerful and essential to military success. As such, it requires commander involvement and discipline to ensure it is used properly. As with all combat operations, Coalition Forces have a number of programs designed for providing factual information to the local population.
We continuously assess all our operations to ensure not only combat effectiveness but also compliance with established policies.
Operation Shank update
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq — Operation Harba (Shank) is the fifth in a series of operations by the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces conducting combined clearing operations to disrupt the insurgency and set the conditions for a successful Dec. 15 election in the al Anbar provincial capital of ar Ramadi.
Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. Forces began the operation in the early morning hours by conducting targeted raids on suspected terrorist safe houses in central Ramadi resulting in the discovery of bomb making material.
Operation Shank follows four previous disruption operations which began Nov. 16 in the al Anbar provincial capital. The purpose of the operation is to disrupt a terrorist group that utilizes an area of Ramadi as its base for attacks on local Ramadi citizens, the Iraqi and U.S. military.
Approximately 200 Iraqi Army Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 7th Division and 300 Marines from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, are taking part in Operation Shank.
The operation was carefully planned by using information and intelligence gathered by Iraqi and U.S. Forces operating in the city on a daily basis. There is no correlation between Operation Shank and the erroneous reports which were circulated by a terrorist propagandist.
Due to operations in and around Ramadi and in Western al Anbar, attacks by al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists have decreased 60 percent in Ramadi in the last month.
More information on the operation will be released as it becomes available.
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