Good News From Iraq

Two Iraqi force raids in Baghdad net four insurgents

BALAD – Iraqi security forces conducted two separate operations in Baghdad on July 20, capturing four insurgents who may be involved in ‘extra judicial killing,’ or EJK cells.

The first operation by Iraqi security forces, a raid on back-to-back objectives in southwest Baghdad, netted three primary targets. The first individual was a key insurgent leader believed to plan and coordinate insurgent operations in Baghdad. The second is allegedly involved in financing operations and supplying weapons to insurgents. And the third is believed to be involved in kidnapping Iraqi citizens, Iraqi police and Iraqi soldiers for ransom to finance insurgent activities. He is also allegedly involved in murdering kidnapping victims and participating in attacks against coalition forces.

Iraqi forces also seized three AK-47 assault rifles and three nine millimeter pistols.

During a second raid in southern Baghdad, Iraqi Army forces captured an individual known to deal improvised explosive devices, or IEDs and small arms to insurgent groups.

Coalition force advisers were on hand during both operations, and both occurred without incident.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during the operation.

UPDATE: Coalition forces conduct raid northwest of Baqubah
BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed two suspected terrorists, two women and one child while conducting a raid northwest Baqubah July 21. They also detained four suspects.

There were 23 people injured in the assault, several of them were women and children. All of the injured received immediate medical treatment on site by a Coalition medical expert and those needing further treatment were taken to a near-by military facility.

The raid was targeting terrorists associated with senior al-Qaida in Iraq network members who have been targeted in previous Coalition operations and have been linked to several attacks against Iraqi citizens. Intelligence also indicates that the targeted terrorists have extensive links to foreign fighters in the area.

The target area consisted of a block of buildings. As the troops began to secure the area, they received small arms fire from the roof top of one of the initial target buildings and the terrorists attempted to reposition themselves between and on top of the adjacent buildings.

After the target block was contained, several men were seen moving around on the roof tops. The ground force twice gave verbal instructions for all occupants to exit the target buildings. These instructions were ignored.

Aerial fires were placed on the building and then halted. A third attempt to call the occupants out of the buildings then failed before force was escalated.

The troops secured the area using a combination of aerial and ground fire.

We regret that civilians are hurt or killed while Coalition forces search to rid Iraq of terrorism. Terrorists continue to deliberately place innocent Iraqi women and children in danger by their actions and presence.

Iraqi army soldiers kill 5 terrorists, wound 13, detain 47 during firefight
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division killed five terrorists, wounded 13, and detained 47 during a two-hour firefight that began at approximately 11 a.m. today.

Initially, the 6th IA soldiers received a report from an Iraqi citizen that 10-15 men were attacking a house in Hayy Al Shuhada, a neighborhood in Mahmudiyah South.

The IA soldiers tracked the gunmen to the Hayy Al Askery neighborhood, in Mahmudiyah South, where a small-arms battle ensued in which five terrorists were killed and the remainder fled the scene in a white truck.

The terrorists were followed to a residence, where they abandoned their vehicle. Attack helicopter aviators from Multi-National Division Baghdad destroyed the vehicle. Iraqi army soldiers detained six suspects who were hiding in a nearby canal and another three who were found by another vehicle.

A total of 47 suspects were detained during the operation, and the soldiers confiscated 5 PKC machine guns, 16 AK-47s and more than 300 rounds of ammunition.

Three IA soldiers and three Iraqi policemen were killed during the engagements.

“This was an Iraqi Army action that clearly demonstrates the professionalism and capability of the IA,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Kunk, commander, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. “They heard the cry for help from the Iraqi citizens and went to the sound of the guns. They are fighting for the Iraqi people and their country.”

MND-B Soldiers kill 15 terrorists during firefight; Hillah SWAT, IA search Husaniyah for suspects
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 67th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, killed 15 terrorists during a three-hour firefight that began at approximately 2 p.m. today.

Terrorists attacked a 1-67 Cav. Regt. patrol with rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire while the MND-B Soldiers were conducting a combat patrol in Musayyib near the husaniyah, with some of the SAF being fired from the husaniyah.

One terrorist was killed during the initial attack.

MND-B Soldiers reported they saw multiple male local nationals entering buildings surrounding a traffic circle. Additionally, a fuel truck, believed to be a vehicle-borne, improvised-explosive device was seen nearing the Soldiers’ positions. A MND-B attack aviation helicopter destroyed the vehicle at approximately 3 p.m.

Terrorists again attacked the patrol with RPGs and SAF. The Soldiers responded and killed an RPG team at approximately 3:15 p.m. and another terrorist 15 minutes later.

Terrorists continued to press the attack. At approximately 3:40 p.m., the Soldiers identified a house where the SAF was coming from and the Soldiers engaged and killed six more terrorists.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division were attacked by terrorists using small-arms fire at approximately 3:40 p.m.

At approximately 3:55 p.m., 1-67 Soldiers eliminated another RPG team of two terrorists, and yet another RPG team five minutes later. Meanwhile, a 2nd Bn., 4th Bde., 8th IAD soldier was killed by terrorists.

At approximately 5 p.m., a Hillah SWAT team entered the husaniyah in an attempt to capture terrorists who attacked the CF unit and fled into the mosque before continuing to fire on the 1-67 Soldiers. MND-B Soldiers provided the outer cordon while the SWAT team searched the mosque.

The Hillah SWAT team was joined by soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, who found rocket-propelled grenades in a bathroom in the husaniyah.

The husaniyah is believed to have been used as a sanctuary for hiding weapons used against the Iraqi army, Iraqi police, local residents and MND-B Soldiers.

“Thugs and criminals tried to take over Mussayib, but they failed because the Iraqi army and police are unbeatable when they work together. The Coalition Forces were proud to assist their brothers,” said Col. John Tully, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Iraqi, MND-B Soldiers scout out explosive devices, render them harmless
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, noticed two artillery rounds sticking out of the ground with copper wires jutting out of it southwest of Al Iskandariyah at approximately 8 a.m. Thursday.

Upon investigation of the site, Soldiers noticed an Iraqi citizen, who when questioned, provided the Soldiers information about a house down the street as a possible terrorist enclave.

Investigating the house, Soldiers discovered six 130mm rounds and various bomb-making materials. Soldiers removed the items from the house.

Meanwhile in Karadah, Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., escaped injury from an improvised-explosive device when the 155mm round exploded near an area where they were conducting a dismounted patrol.

While investigating the site, Soldiers detained a suspected terrorist and an accomplice, who later identified the first individual captured as the triggerman.

Also on Thursday MND–B’s 7th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt. Soldiers uncovered a weapons cache in the Muhammad Baqir area of northwestern Baghdad at approximately 10 a.m.

The cache contained a sniper scope, a grenade, a 9mm pistol magazine and various types of ammunition.

Soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, responded to a vehicle explosion in Adhamiya where six local national citizens were wounded at approximately 1 p.m. today. They found a second vehicle nearby packed with four 155mm rounds and five anti-tank mines. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal team disarmed and removed the devices.

MND-B Soldiers capture wanted terrorist
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained a wanted terrorist Wednesday during a routine security patrol south of Baghdad.

A patrol from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, observed five suspicious civilians walking around a parked car at approximately 5:00 a.m.

When a 2nd BCT Soldier attempted to investigate, the suspects tried to evade the patrol by hiding in a nearby vegetated canal. The Soldiers detained the group for questioning. One of the suspects was identified as a wanted terrorist for attacks against Coalition Forces.

The suspect was taken to an MND-B forward operating base for further questioning.

Iraqi Forces conduct raids in Baghdad, target ‘death squads’
BALAD – Iraqi Army forces conducted two near-simultaneous raids in Baghdad early on July 23 targeting suspected individuals involved in the operation of ‘death squad’ cells and sectarian violence.

One of the raids, in eastern Baghdad, targeted two members believed to be involved in ‘death squads’ operating in the metropolitan Baghdad area.

As Iraqi forces and their coalition advisers entered this objective area, they received heavy and sustained small arms, machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire from several positions. Government and coalition troops responded with appropriate force.

During this operation, Iraqi forces also freed two Iraqi citizens held hostage and detained eight insurgents. At this time, it is not known if the primary targets were captured.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were killed; one Iraqi soldier was wounded.

The second raid in northwestern Baghdad targeted an individual suspected of murder, kidnapping and other illegal activities. Two individuals were detained; at this time, it is not known if one of the detainees is the primary target.

No Iraqi or coalition forces were injured during this operation.

BASRA - British troops in Basra uncovered a large cache of terrorist weapons and equipment in a dawn raid on July 18.

The operation involved Coalition members from Multi-National Division - Southeast, operating in the northeast suburbs of Basra.

The intelligence-led operation was conducted to search property where weapons were believed to be stored in support of terrorist activities.

Early in the operation, British Soldiers were attacked and returned fire. Attacks on the British troops continued from rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds and small arms fire throughout the operation.

The Soldiers discovered a significant weapons cache that included sophisticated bomb making equipment, improvised explosive devices, rockets, mortars and hand grenades.

More than two tons of weapons were seized by Soldiers from the British 20th Armor Brigade.

Three suspected terrorists were detained during the search operation.

No British troops were injured in the fighting.

Brig. Gen. James Everard, the brigade's commander, said the raid was "highly successful" and achieved the objective.

"Multi-National forces will combat the threat from terrorists and this is an example of the measures we will take to meet our commitment," he said.

"Along side the governor of Basra and members of the provincial security council this was our pledge, signed in a writen undertaking. We have made it clear that in support of the Basra Security Plan, we will combat those who attempt to incite sedition and destabilize the security situation. We will take the necessary steps to reach our mutually desired end state."

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