BAGHDAD – Because of the increasing abilities of Iraqi security forces, Coalition forces have been able to transfer to Iraqi control dozens of forward operating bases in Iraq.
Of the 110 FOBs operated by the Coalition at the start of 2005, 30 have been transferred to the Iraqi Transitional Government, transferred to the Iraqi Security Forces, or closed.
Task Force Band of Brothers will turn over control of the former Saddam Hussein presidential compound to Iraqi government officials in a ceremony in Mosul July 20.
The Mosul site, built over 2.2 square kilometers and completed in 1994, contained Saddam Hussein's northernmost presidential site and includes several palaces and residences, three lakes, and man-made waterfalls.
The compound was secured by the 101st Airborne Division in April 2003. Since then, the area has changed U.S. commands three times.
The secured area will be transferred to Ministry of Interior for the Iraqi Police to use as a headquarters in the Mosul region.
The compound has served as a military headquarters during some of its greatest successes in Iraq. Notable among those many successes was the May 5, 2003, Mosul city and Ninewa provincial council elections, the first post-Saddam Hussein election in Iraq.
Since the departure of Task Force Freedom in December 2005, the compound has been home to elements of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and other Coalition forces. Earlier this year, they began the task of vacating and restoring the compound in preparation for the hand over to the Iraqis.
After the hand over, Iraqi security forces, with Collation support, will continue to provide a security environment that enables the political process to move forward.
BAQUBAH – A U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter, providing nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to Coalition ground forces, killed a member of an improvised explosive device cell and identified an IED emplacement Wednesday near Baqubah, U.S. Central Command Air Forces officials reported.
The F-16 identified three possible IED emplacers and passed the information to ground forces. Ground unit personnel positively identified the terrorists and requested the F-16 engage the hostile forces. The F-16 strafed the terrorists, killing one and ending the engagement.
Coalition aircraft, operationally controlled by U.S. Central Command Air Forces from Southwest Asia bases, provide a constant air umbrella over Iraq, providing for the safety and security of the Iraqi people and coalition ground forces, officials said.
"Our message is clear to those who continue to harm innocent civilians and attack coalition forces: if terrorists continue their activities, we will identify, track and take appropriate action to stop them," said Air Force Brig. Gen. Anthony Haynes, Combined Air Operations Center director. "More than 30,000 deployed airmen are hard at work, in the air and on the ground, in both Iraq and Afghanistan, striving to improve the safety and quality of life for local citizens," he said.
Iraqi army, MND-B Soldiers thwart IED emplacement, capture 12 terrorists
BAGHDAD – Iraqi army soldiers from 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, found a newly emplaced improvised-explosive device early Wednesday morning while conducting a patrol south of Baghdad.
While investigating the device, terrorists hiding in the area attacked them with small-arms fire.
When the soldiers returned fire, the terrorists broke contact and fled the area. The Iraqi army soldiers pursued them and caught 12 suspects.
The soldiers traced wires that led to the device and believe it was not yet armed. The explosive device was removed without causing injury or damage.
‘Together Forward’ Iraqi Security and Coalition Forces capture terrorist
4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces working with Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team detained a known terrorist during a combined security operation in Al Bayaa District of South Baghdad Tuesday.
Acting upon intelligence gathered from another known terrorist and leader of an armed militia operating in western Baghdad, Iraqi Security Forces detained Sa’ad Jiniyah in the Hayy Aamel neighborhood of Al Bayaa.
Jiniyah is a known member of an armed militia operating illegally in western Baghdad. He is suspected of kidnapping and torturing Iraqi citizens and instructing his armed militia to operate illegal checkpoints in the Bayaa District, searching cars and murdering Iraqi citizens who oppose their militia.
Iraqi Security Forces captured Jiniyah after receiving small-arms fire from the rooftops around his location. The security forces quickly engaged and neutralized the threat, wounding one gunman during the fight.
The militia member was taken to the nearest hospital and is in stable condition. No Iraqi or Coalition Forces were injured in the operation.
Iraqi army soldiers detain 6 terrorists, capture multiple weapon caches
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 6th Iraqi Army Division, captured six suspected terrorists and a large weapons cache during a search in northwestern Baghdad Wednesday at approximately 2 p.m.
After receiving a tip from a concerned citizen Iraqi army soldiers searched an apartment complex in the suburban area and seized six terrorists and a weapons cache.
The cache consisted of 250 hand grenades, seven rocket-propelled grenade launchers and 14 rocket-propelled grenades, two 152mm artillery shells, a 60mm mortar system, seven Katusha rockets, a PKC machinegun, an RPK machinegun, 300 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 80 60mm fuses, 4 to 5 pounds of home-made explosives, 11 120mm fuses, several batteries of varying voltage, a cluster bomb system, a home made rocket launcher, several switches connected to fuses, 300 feet of time fuse, an improvised-explosive device made with 120mm fuses, artillery propellant, a hand-held radio and detonation cord.
IA, MND-B Soldiers kill 1 terrorist, detain 10 during firefight
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and Multi-National Division – Baghdad, killed one terrorist and detained 10 Wednesday night after a protracted firefight south of Baghdad.
At approximately 8 p.m. an IA patrol reported seeing mortars being fired from a blue truck and initiated a pursuit.
The truck was being escorted by two additional vehicles carrying an unknown number of terrorists. The three vehicles separated as one stopped to engage the IA near a checkpoint.
The 4-6 IA soldiers engaged the terrorists in a small-arms battle and were soon supported by Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, MND-B, who immediately detained one terrorist who was observed shooting at IA soldiers.
IA and MND-B Soldiers were able to suppress the small-arms fire, killing one terrorist and detaining four others.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., 1-502nd Soldiers responded to reports of explosions and small-arms fire coming from the village of Al Raquaba, where they found IA soldiers engaging the blue truck and the second group of terrorists.
Once again IA and MND-B Soldiers were able to suppress the terrorists wounding one and detaining six. One IA soldier was wounded during the second firefight.
Between the two firefights, IA and MND-B Soldiers killed one terrorist, detained 10 and confiscated three vehicles, two PKC machine guns with ammunition, a mortar tube, four 82mm rounds, a rocket-propelled grenade and three AK-47s.
Coalition forces kill four terrorists
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed four terrorists while conducting a raid southeast of Baghdad Wednesday.
The raids targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists known for coordinating vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) and rocket attacks against Iraqi civilians. These individuals are reported to have significant links to several high level al–Qaeda in Iraq leaders.
Upon arriving at the target, Coalition forces observed the terrorists throwing items out the vehicle. The security forces made multiple attempts to stop the terrorists’ vehicle, culminating in warning shots near the vehicle.
The terrorists were non-compliant, refusing to stop, and as Coalition forces approached began to retrieve items from behind the seats. Coalition forces then engaged and killed them.
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Iraq
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