Good News From Iraq

Release A060705a
Coalition Forces detain four insurgents, kill one
BAGHDAD – Coalition Forces killed one male Iraqi believed to be an associate of an al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist and detained four adult males during a raid southeast of Samarra July 5.

Intelligence led the force to the suspected location of an al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist with significant ties to other senior al-Qaida leaders. The targeted individual was also reported to have previously provided a safe haven for foreign fighters linked to an attack on an Iraqi government forces checkpoint May 20. Intelligence further indicated that the targeted individual is an associate of Haitham al-Badri, a known al-Qaida leader and foreign fighter facilitator.

Al-Badri is known to have played a major role in the planning of the Feb. 22 bombing of the Al-Askari Mosque in Samarra and the subsequent murder that same day of Atwar Bahjat, a popular Iraqi news reporter.

Upon assault, several suspects fled the initial target building. Coalition Forces secured the building and pursued two individuals who were fleeing the area. Coalition Forces aircraft in support of the ground troops fired in an attempt to re-direct or halt their movement inadvertently killing one; the other was detained by the ground forces along with at second who was captured in the vicinity of the target house.

The two others detained during the raid included one who was thought to have fled initially when Coalition Forces arrived on site and one who was the owner of the house.

An additional two suspects fled the target area and are being sought by the Iraqi government and Coalition Forces for their associations to the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist network.

The troops found one AK-47 and six ammunition magazines inside the initial target building.

Release No. 20060705-03
Iraqi and Coalition forces finish searching Ramadi hospital
RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, with support from coalition Forces, finished searching a hospital in northern Ramadi, which was being used as a center for insurgent activity. The ISF and CF began their search of the seven-story building and its surrounding facilities at approximately 1:30 a.m. today and concluded the search by 9:30 a.m.

The combined force did not meet any resistance, and there were no reports of civilian or military injuries as a result of the search. One weapons cache was found with bomb making material. No hospital services were interrupted by the search, and the hospital is now open to the public.

“I am very pleased that the insurgents did not choose to create a fight at the hospital,” said Col. Sean B. MacFarland, commander of all Coalition forces in the Ramadi area. “We went there with overwhelming numbers but with the intention of using the absolute minimum force necessary to clear out any insurgents who may still have been there.”

Iraqi and Coalition forces have previously received sniper fire from the hospital on multiple occasions, and credible intelligence reports indicated the hospital was being used as an insurgent safe haven and command center

Soldiers from 1 st Brigade, 7 th Iraqi Army Division conducted the search with support from Marines assigned to the U.S. Army 1 st Brigade, 1 st Armored Division.

“Since our arrival in Ramadi four months ago, insurgents have used the Saddam Hospital compound to launch mortar attacks, observe ISF and coalition movement as well as shoot at us from the upper stories of the hospital,” said Lt. Col. Stephen M. Neary, commanding officer, 3 rd Battalion, 8 th Marine Regiment. “After many engagements, we

have observed the insurgents flee to the hospital to regroup and tend to their wounded and dead.”

“Iraqi Police units are in the process of assuming primary responsibility for hospital security in order to facilitate its return to normal operations in support of all of the people of Ramadi,” said MacFarland.

Release No. 20060706-01
3rd Bde., 6th IA finds large cache
CAMP TAJI – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted a cordon and search operation west of Baghdad at approximately 2 p.m. Friday, finding a large cache.

The cache consisted of two 82mm mortar tubes, 19 82mm mortar rounds, eight rocket-propelled grenade rounds, an RPG launcher, 31 60mm mortar rounds, 91 mortar fuses, 48 M6 fuses, two bullet-proof vests, eight AK-47 assault rifles, five fragmentation grenades, five concussion grenades, a sniper scope, a pipe bomb, a mortar base plate, seven sticks of dynamite, 57 shotgun shells, three rolls of fuse, 3,750 7.62mm rounds, two Dragonov sniper rifles, and 300 PKC rounds.

The 3rd Bde., 6th IA Div. and the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, continue to conduct operations to provide a safe and secure environment for all Iraqis.

Release No. 20060706-01
NP, MND-B Soldiers capture VBIED factory, detain 2 suspects
BAGHDAD — Police from 2nd Battalion, 7th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, and Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, detained two suspected terrorist bomb manufacturers at a vehicle-borne improvised-explosive device production site during a cordon and search of the Baya'a Car Market in the Rasheed district of Baghdad Tuesday.

The combined patrol conducted the operation in an attempt to disrupt the production of improvised-explosive devices in the region, which is in an area historically high in the occurrence of terrorist attacks.

During the search of the market, the forces discovered a large cache that consisted of various bomb-making materials. Among the munitions and materials captured were 1,000 7.62mm sniper rounds, 300 7.62mm AK-47 rounds, 200 7.62mm shell casings, 3.5 pounds of explosive compound, a rocket propelled grenade, two 10-inch mortar rounds, two pipe bombs, a 75mm rocket and various other bomb-making materials and gear.

The two suspects were taken into custody for questioning.

Elsewhere, police from the 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division, foiled an attempt by five suspected terrorists attempting to steal a national police vehicle Tuesday evening in southern Baghdad .

After an exchange of small-arms gunfire, the suspects fled the area. There were no reported casualties or damage.

Release No. 20060706-02
NP, MND-B Soldiers detain 7 terrorists, discover 3 weapons caches
BAGHDAD — Police from 8th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, along with Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad's 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, detained seven suspected terrorists and discovered three weapons caches during a search in Baghdad's Doura neighborhood early today.

Following a search of his house, one suspect was arrested by National policemen, who found two AK-47 rifles in his home. Three other suspects in the house were also detained. The policemen found a third AK-47, magazines and a sniper rifle on the roof of the house.

Shortly thereafter, Soldiers from 2nd Bn., 506th Inf. Regt., found two 82mm mortar rounds, blasting caps, and suicide bomber propaganda at another site nearby. A second cache, containing four 82mm rounds with blasting caps, a 122mm artillery round, suicide bomber propaganda and a magazine for a Russian sniper rifle, were also found.

The third cache, found across the street from a local mosque, contained a rocket-propelled grenade, two grenade rockets, two unknown rockets, two AK-47 rifles with ammunition and various bomb-making materials. A video camera and tapes were also discovered. The tapes contained video of tortures and mortars being launched. In a pile of trash, Soldiers found four mortar rounds, a 122mm round, a base plate, four cell-phones, one rigged as a timing device and plastic explosives.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams destroyed the munitions.

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