Good News From Iraq

Soldiers detain five terrorists, seize weapons
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Baghdad Soldiers detained four suspected terrorists and wounded another in eastern Baghdad Friday.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. Friday, MND-B Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, identified a terrorist placing an improvised-explosive device along the side of a road in New Baghdad, a neighborhood in eastern Baghdad.

After positively identifying the terrorist actions, MND-B Soldiers fired on and wounded the IED emplacer.

The 4th BCT Soldiers later detained four terrorists who were placing IEDs in the same area of New Baghdad. The four terrorists were caught carrying a submachine gun, a grenade and various bomb-making materials.

The suspects were detained for further questioning and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team destroyed the munitions.

Statement by U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad on Verdicts Issuedby the Iraqi High Tribunal

Today is an important milestone for Iraq as the country takes another major step forward in the building of a free society based on the rule of law. The verdicts issued by the Iraqi High Tribunal against Saddam Hussein and the other seven defendants demonstrate the commitment of the Iraqi people to hold them accountable. The judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys in this case all showed courage in the face of intimidation. Their determination to pursue justice is a signal that the rule of law will prevail in Iraq despite the difficult situation that the country now faces. A former dictator feared by millions, who killed his own citizens without mercy or justice, who waged wars against neighboring countries, has been brought to trial in his own country – held accountable in a court of law with ordinary citizens bearing witness. Although the Iraqis may face difficult days in the coming weeks, closing the book on Saddam and his regime is an opportunity to unite and build a better future. As the Iraqi people move forward, the United States will support them in their efforts to build a just and democratic society.

ONE TERRORIST KILLED, 15 DETAINED IN EARLY MORNING RAIDS; IED, OTHER EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS

FOUND BALAD, Iraq — Coalition Forces killed a terrorist Sunday morning during a successful raid near al-Yusifiyah and discovered a very large weapons and explosives cache at a separate raid near Bayji in which Coalition Forces detained 15 suspected terrorists.

The early morning raid near al-Yusifah targeted an individual associated with a suspected senior leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network who is known for links with foreign terrorists and improvised explosive device attacks in the area. Coalition Forces assaulted the building and killed the armed terrorist as he was attempting to flee.

At the raid near Bayji, Coalition Forces discovered multiple caches of explosives and weapons which included machineguns, rocket propelled grenades, hand grenades, a significant amount of artillery and mortar rounds and an IED ready for emplacement.

An explosive ordnance team was called out to safely detonate the IED and dispose of the weapons caches.

Several women and children were present at the targeted areas and were left unharmed. Coalition Forces take precautions to mitigate risks to civilians while in pursuit of terrorists. Terrorists continue to put women and children in danger by operating among them.

No Coalition Force members were injured during the two raids. This morning’s raids were a culmination of intelligence taken from previous raids. Coalition Forces are making progress dismantling the AQIZ terrorist network inside Iraq.

The capture of these detainees and destruction of their weapons reduces the ability of the terrorist network to operate, and increases the safety of all Iraqi citizens, Iraqi forces, and Iraq’s Multi-National partners.

Iraqi Police, Army deliver food to Al-Bohemla
Multi-National Corps – West PAO

RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqi Policemen and soldiers of the Iraqi Army delivered more than 6,000 pounds of food supplies to the Al Bohemla mosque Saturday to help relieve a food shortage here in the central portion of the city.

Local residents approached Iraqi Army soldiers during patrols to express their concern about the food shortage.

“Being the sons of Ramadi,” Major Kathem from the Iraqi Police recognized, “We must help the people of Ramadi.”

Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment provided external security while soldiers with the 2-1-7 Iraqi Army and policemen from the Western Ramadi Police Station unloaded rice, flour, beans and cooking oil for the people of the area to a local Imam. The food supplies were provided by the Iraqi government.

Iraqi Army, U.S. Soldiers detain senior militia leader

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi army and Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers detained a senior militia leader at approximately 8 p.m. Friday in Baghdad.

Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, searched the Al Hassan Mosque in Kadhamiyah, a northern Baghdad neighborhood, after receiving reports that two Iraqi citizens were being held hostage at the location. Soldiers from MND-B’s 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team conducted a cordon of the area to provide security.

A group of concerned Iraqi citizens approached the MND-B soldiers during the operation to notify them of the location of a senior militia leader, wanted by MND-B for suspicion of running a murder and kidnapping cell.

The IA and MND-B Soldiers reportedly found evidence of suspicious activity at the mosque, but the reported hostages were nowhere to be found. The Soldiers then moved to the reported location of the senior militia leader, where they found the suspected terrorist and apprehended him for further questioning.

There were no reported injuries to Iraqi Army or MND-B Soldiers during the operation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --
HUGE WEAPONS CACHE, OTHER EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS FOUND DURING RAIDS

BALAD, Iraq — Coalition Forces discovered a large weapons and explosives cache and killed one terrorist during separate raids near Bayji and al-Yusifiyah Sunday morning.

During a raid near Bayji, Coalition Forces discovered multiple caches of explosives and weapons which included machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades, a significant amount of artillery and mortar rounds and an improvised explosive device ready for emplacement. An explosive ordnance team was called out to safely detonate the IED and dispose of the weapons caches.

This was the largest cache of weapons found by Coalition Forces in several days. Coalition Forces also destroyed an IED factory south of Baghdad November 1.

Another raid Sunday morning near al-Yusifiyah targeted an individual associated with a suspected senior leader of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network who is known for links with foreign terrorists and IED attacks in the area. Coalition Forces assaulted the building and killed the armed terrorist as he was attempting to flee. Fifteen suspected terrorists were detained as a result of both operations.

Several women and children were present at the targeted areas and were not harmed. Coalition Forces take precautions to mitigate risks to civilians while in pursuit of terrorists. Terrorists continue to put women and children in danger by operating among them.

No Coalition Force members were injured during the two raids.

Sunday’s raids were a culmination of intelligence taken from previous raids.

Coalition Forces are making progress dismantling the AQIZ terrorist network inside Iraq.

The capture of these detainees and destruction of their weapons reduces the ability of the terrorist network to operate, and increases the safety of all Iraqi citizens, Iraqi forces and Iraq’s Multi-National partners.

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