Good News From Iraq

Release A060516c
MND-B Soldiers capture terrorist, disrupt IED emplacements
BAGHDAD, Iraq – At approximately 7:30 a.m. May 16 Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers observed three terrorists with two bongo trucks emplacing a roadside bomb on a highway southwest of Baghdad .

Attack helicopters destroyed both bongo trucks, killing one terrorist, as another fled to a nearby home. Coalition Forces cordoned off the area and detained the man.

After searching the impact area, Soldiers discovered two AK-47 rifles, a rack system, a set of night vision goggles, six 155 mm rounds, a car battery, detonation cord, a pressure plate mechanism and a long-range transmitter base.

Coalition Forces are currently searching for the third terrorist. The wounded terrorist received medical treatment prior to being detained for questioning.

Release A060516d
Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces negotiate to enter mosque
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Terrorists attacked Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers on patrol in the Baghdad neighborhood of al Mansour in a drive-by shooting at approximately 2 p.m. May 16.

The Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment followed the truck to the al Abbas Mosque and observed the terrorists entering the building.

Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and Coalition Forces surrounded the mosque. The Qada chairman negotiated with the Imam in order to gain entry and detain the terrorists.

While they were waiting, the U.S. Soldiers searching the truck used in the drive-by shooting discovered a machine gun, a sniper rifle, an anti-tank mine, rocket-propelled grenades and a launcher.

Once permission was given by the Imam, Iraqi Soldiers respectfully searched the mosque and the surrounding compound.

There were no explosives found in the mosque. However, IED making materials and a large weapons cache were found on the compound. Eleven military-aged males were detained for questioning.

Release A060517a
MND-N Soldiers safely dismantle car bomb in Mosul

TIKRIT, Iraq – Task Force Band of Brothers Soldiers discovered and successfully disarmed a car bomb packed with munitions and explosives in the northern city of Mosul May 16.

Mosul police officers and Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team secured the area as an explosive ordnance disposal team carefully assessed the device.

The EOD team safely removed 14 large artillery rounds, a rocket-propelled grenade warhead, a large gas can and more than 100 pounds of bulk explosives from the vehicle.

Efforts deter violence, promote peace in Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq (May 17, 2006) – Iraqi Leaders in northern Baghdad met to discuss improvement of quality of life issues in their region, while the Iraqi courts and detention facilities process detainees in a fair and timely manner.

More than 50 leaders attended the first session of the North Baghdad Cooperation Council hosted by the 9th Iraqi Army Division and the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Camp Taji’s Iraqi Army Officer’s Club, north of Baghdad May 13.

Maj. Gen. Ayoub Bashar, commander, 9th Iraqi Division, hosted the event attended by Sunni and Shi’a sheiks from northern Baghdad communities, as well as Iraqi Army leaders from the 6th and 9th Iraqi Army Divisions and Iraqi Police leadership.

Attendees discussed common security concerns, strengthened key leader relationships and created a communication venue for the participants to exchange information of mutual benefit.

Spokesmen for each community provided a brief summation to members of the Iraqi and western press immediately following the event.

The group concluded with an agreement to meet again in June to provide specific security recommendations to Iraqi Security Forces.

Reducing sectarian violence is a key step to a safer and more secure Iraq. Progress continues as the Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted 14 security detainees May 3 through May 9 for various crimes, including possessing illegal weapons and joining terrorist groups.

For example, the trial court found Subhi Esmail Trad, Ahmad Eubayid Sumair, Khudir Abd Al Hamid Alwan, Auda Kalbush Mutuk, Saladin Subhi Jubayir, Hussin Silabi Authman, Rid Yusif Yakuh, Hussein Karim Muhammad, Sahir Hamadallah Adab, Abid Ibrahim Muhammad and Yasir Ismail Ibrihim guilty of violating Coalition Provisional Authority Order No. 3 for possession of illegal weapons and sentenced each of them to life imprisonment. Coalition Forces apprehended them after raiding a remote terrorist training camp and finding various illegal weapons and ordnance.

To date, the CCCI has held 1,053 trials of insurgents suspected of anti-Iraqi and anti-Coalition activities threatening the security of Iraq and targeting Multi-National Force - Iraq. These proceedings have resulted in 948 individual convictions with sentences ranging up to death.

Not all detainees face trial though. The Iraqi-led Combined Review and Release Board review cases for detainees in a fair manner. The CRRB recommended release for 151 detainees May 15.

MNF-I released the male detainees from a Coalition-run Theater Internment Facility.

The CRRB was established in August 2004 and consists of members from the Ministries of Human Rights, Justice and Interior, as well as officers from the Multi-National Forces.

To date, the board has reviewed the cases of more than 38,500 detainees, recommending more than 19,400 individuals for release.

Iraqi streets safer

In an example of how Iraqi Soldiers are becoming more capable of providing for the security of their piece of Iraq and removing terrorists from the region, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, took the lead in several raids near Diyarah May 13.

During Operation Dragoon Spearhead, 2nd Battalion, 8 Infantry Soldiers provided a cordon as Iraqi soldiers searched homes for a criminal listed on an arrest warrant and other suspected terrorists.

“The IA is getting closer to handling missions by themselves,” said Sgt. Joseph Richter, a gunner with Company. D, 2nd Battalion, 8 Infantry, but he added that American forces are still standing by to assist.

Twelve suspects were detained in all. One of the suspects appeared on the Iraqi Army's arrest warrant list and the others were arrested for other recorded charges.

In total, Iraqi Army forces confiscated 13 AK-47s, a RPK machine gun, a Smirnoff rifle and seven vehicles.

Communication was vital to the public relations aspect of the operation, according to U.S. Soldiers on the scene.

“The Iraqi Army Soldiers are very people-centric, (which was) evident during this operation,” said Capt. Ben Simms, commander of Company D.

He described how the Iraqi Soldiers talked to the people and explained to them why they were there. They made a point of telling the families they were a new unit in town and are trying to remove terrorists from the streets.

“I think (Iraqi Soldiers) made a connection with the people, which will help them in the long run when they take over,” said Sims.

Tags:
Iraq
MNF Iraq
Al Qaeda
War on Terror
Iraqi Army
101st Fighting Keyboardists

.