Good News From Iraq

Release A060515c
Coalition Forces raid insurgent safe haven
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces conducted a coordinated ground and air attack against an enemy safe haven in Yusifiyah May 14, killing more than 25 terrorists, detaining four, destroying three safe houses and a vehicle loaded with weapons and ammunition.

Upon initiating the attack in the afternoon, Coalition troops immediately killed two terrorists in response to hostile activity emanating from a suspected safe house and an associated vehicle. Once the threat was suppressed by an air strike on both the car - resulting in secondary explosions - and the structure, ground troops searched the targeted areas, found two dead terrorists, detained four suspects and provided medical treatment to three injured civilians.

One adult female and one teenage female were treated for wounds and then medically evacuated with their uninjured maternal escort via helicopter to the 10th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad . Additionally, one girl was treated on-site for a superficial wound to the head. She required no further medical care and remained with her mother.

The terrorists fired at the departing helicopters including the transport carrying the injured civilian females. The ground forces called in close air support to suppress the threat, and several sorties of fixed and rotary wing aircraft attacked enemy positions and killed approximately 20 terrorists.

During the fighting, terrorists in a truck tried to penetrate the security perimeter and were engaged by the ground troops. The three enemy who occupied the vehicle were killed; one was wearing a suicide vest and detonated it after he was shot by the ground troops, injuring no one and killing himself.

Release A060515c
Coalition Forces conduct raids; detain 8, kill known terrorist

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces conducted a series of raids in the vicinity of Latifiyah May 13-14, killing known terrorist Abu Mustafa and 15 other suspected al-Qaida associates and detaining eight suspects. Abu Mustafa was wanted for his involvement in the shooting down of an AH-64 helicopter earlier this year.

Coalition Forces also treated four civilians and two of the suspects for injuries sustained during the raids.

Iraqi and Coalition Forces were searching for Abu Mustafa, a member of al-Qaida, because of his leadership role in the April 1 downing of the AH-64 helicopter in Yusifiyah. Abu Mustafa was also a known weapons smuggler who allegedly facilitated the movement of missiles and rockets within the al-Qaida terrorist network.

In the evening on May 13, Coalition Forces initiated four associated raids. The initial raid resulted in the killing of Abu Mustafa and an unknown affiliate who were located near Latifiyah, a village approximately 25 km southeast of Baghdad .

Additionally, intelligence officials identified several other areas connected to Abu Mustafa's cell members. Coalition troops assaulted three of those sites, located approximately six km north of where Abu Mustafa had been killed the day prior. Upon arrival at the first of these, Coalition Forces engaged more than 15 al-Qaida terrorists who were attempting to establish defensive positions or escape. Coalition Forces, supported by fire from helicopters, engaged the terrorists. Coalition Forces confirmed 14 suspected terrorists were killed and also discovered Abu Mustafa's body which had been moved to this new site.

Coalition troops also found several women and children inside the house. Two women and two children were inadvertently wounded by shrapnel. The forces immediately treated the injured on site. One of the women and one child required no further treatment. After initial treatment for a wound to her abdomen, the second woman, who is pregnant, was medically evacuated to the 10th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad for additional medical care. The other child, 20 months old, was also evacuated to the 10th CSH with her uninjured mother. All evacuated to the hospital are in stable condition.

Iraqi troops assume responsibility for Sinjar
Story Spc. Richard Vogt, 138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
SINJAR, Iraq – Iraqi troops are continuing to take more responsibility from Coalition troops.

The 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army assumed responsibility for the region near Sinjar Mountain in the Sinjar province from Task Force 1-37, 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division in a ceremony here on May 3. It is the first time an Iraqi unit has acquired sole responsibility in this part of Iraq.

Col. Nasrula, commander of the 3rd Iraqi Army Battalion, talked about the unit and their accomplishments. He listed the many missions that his unit had conducted and said that they would continue the work they had begun to bring stability to the region.

“We promise God and the people that we will be faithful Soldiers and defeat terrorists,” Nasrula said. He also stated that his unit had already detained many insurgents and found numerous weapons caches. The unit meets regularly with Sheiks and local leaders in order to build trust and cooperation between civilians and the military.

“We will strike fear in the hearts of our enemies,” said Gen. Oshay, commander of the 3rd Iraqi Army Division. “May God bless this honorable and historic day as we take the lead from Coalition Forces. We have achieved a high level of readiness and are able to defeat terrorists.”

“You are freedom fighters,” Gen. Oshay said to the battalion. According to Gen. Oshay, Iraq is made up of people of different religions and ethnicities and that success hinges on their ability to work together. The 3rd Battalion would work with the Iraqi police and the border guards to provide security for the region.

“Fingers gathered into a fist hurt the enemy more,” Gen. Oshay said. “You are the guards of the western gate of Iraq.”

The battalion marched passed the reviewing stand and were followed by light wheeled vehicles, armored vehicles, troop transport vehicles, a water truck, a fuel truck, and an ambulance. Maj. Hanni, a commander in the 3rd Iraqi Army Bn., told attendees that the vehicles will help the unit accomplish its mission.

“This is a very good day, a happy day, a day that Iraqi forces take over from Coalition forces,” Hanni said.

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