Good News From Iraq(as not reported on the BBC)

Iraqi Police captures members of insurgent cell
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Special Iraqi Police forces, with coalition advisors, conducted a raid Nov. 13 in Haswah and captured six insurgents believed to be responsible for improvised explosive device attacks that injure and kill Iraqi civilians and Iraqi Security Force members.

The insurgents are also allegedly responsible for criminal activities in the Haswah and Baghdad areas that include extortion, murder, kidnapping and car theft. The insurgents help finance other insurgent cells in their attacks against ISF.

There were arrest warrants for the insurgents. Nine additional suspects were detained by Iraqi forces during the raid and several assault rifles were confiscated.

Iraqi forces entered a mosque compound while conducting the operation, but did not enter the mosque. Coalition forces did not enter the mosque compound or the mosque.

Operations on the objective caused minimal damage and there were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition forces casualties.

Iraqi Special Forces captures leaders of insurgent cell
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO
BAGHDAD – Special Iraqi Security forces, with coalition advisors, conducted a raid Nov. 12 in Arab A’ Jabur and captured four members of an insurgent cell believed to be responsible for murders, kidnappings and bomb attacks that kill and injure Iraqi civilians and Iraqi police forces.

The insurgents are also allegedly responsible for taking over Iraqi civilian houses in the Arab A’ Jabur area to use for expanding their network, causing families to be displaced.

Operations on the objective caused minimal damage and there were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition forces casualties.

MND-B Soldiers respond to rocket attack, detain three suspected terrorists
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained three suspected terrorists in Baghdad’s Doura Province at approximately 5:45 a.m. Nov. 13.

The Soldiers, from 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, responded to a rocket attack and observed two suspects fleeing from the scene. The suspects attempted to evade the patrol, but were unsuccessful.

The patrol secured the suspects for further questioning.

Servicemembers become citizens on Veterans Day
13th SC(E), LSA Anaconda - PAOLSA
Anaconda, Iraq – Proud non-citizen servicemembers raised their right hands, took the Oath of Allegiance, and became proud American citizens during an inspirational Veterans Day weekend ceremony at Logistics Support Area Anaconda in Balad, Iraq Nov.12.

A number of dignitaries spoke to the almost capacity crowd at LSA Anaconda’s Sustainer Theater. Brig. Gen. Michael J. Terry, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Commanding General, delivered the key note speech. Terry told the new citizens and the crowd that there is probably no other situation or investment, except serving your Lord, where a person can give up so little and receive so much more in return. “Becoming an American can have nothing to do with birth or ancestry.” Terry said. “That is because America is an idea, not a race.”

Spec. Simon Muturi originally from Kenya, among the servicemembers receiving American citizenship, said he would continue to be a Kenyan at heart, but wants to be an American. “America is where it’s at.” Muturi said. “ No other country can give you the opportunities like America can.” Muturi joined the Army in 2000.

Already a momentous occasion, the ceremony took on a more special meaning by taking place in a combat zone during Veterans Day weekend. “Just as important as your new citizenship, and just in time for Veterans Day, we honor the fact that you are also Veterans” Terry said.

President George W. Bush speaking via a video message congratulated the servicemembers and welcomed them as fellow American citizens.

Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director said this year marks the 40 year anniversary of his own naturalization ceremony. Gonzales said people are allowed to come into America seamlessly because they don’t swear allegiance to a party or person, but an idea that is bigger than all of us. Gonzales shared his own stories of the opportunities afforded him as an American. He is a retired Colonel from the U.S. Army. In 2005 President Bush appointed and the senate confirmed Gonzales to head the USCIS. “Only in America do those type of opportunities exist.” Gonzales said. Gonzales led the candidates in the Oath of Allegiance.

Rounding out the dignitaries that were present are Mr. John M. Bugler ,USCIS Rome District Director, who performed the Presentation of Candidates and 13th SC (E) Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Fountain who delivered the opening remarks.

The proud new citizens are Carlos Arjona, Fernando Avila-Luna, Lorena Ayres, Latifatu Bakare, Benjamin Brito, June-Ray Cadiz, Gustavo Castellanos-Rivera, Luz Adriann Ceballos-Guevara, Ray De La Cruz Sanchez, Juan Delgado-Preciado, Aly Diasse, Kevaughn Edwards, Paul Ernandes, Yaser Essedraoui, Gafatasi Fuimaono, Carlos Gastelu, Maciej Gebala, Nicole Elizabeth Hart, Sok Jin Hong, Bartlomiej Jakowlew, Shilue Johnson, Esteban Leon-Cevallos, Rene Madsen, Kristofferson Marzo, Zayvier Moodie, Simon Muturi, Moonsammy Narinesammy, Oliver Nied, Oscar Ochoa, Kennedy Osara, Tito Parra Fiallo, Alberto Rivera-Jaquez, Angelo Rocha, Jesus Romero, Sergio Sepulveda-Moller, Lester Spence, Preston Suero Delgado, Biel Thiec, Jose Vaca Ramirez, Jorge Vargas, Juan Verduguez Moreno, Dmytro Vilyaykin and Thong Yang.

EIGHT TERRORISTS KILLED; 41 DETAINED DURING MULTIPLE RAIDS
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained 41 suspected terrorists while conducting multiple raids in the Baghdad area this morning. During one of the raids, Coalition Forces called for the suspects in a building to surrender. The suspected terrorists began firing on Coalition Forces and attempted to flee the building. Coalition Forces returned fire killing eight terrorists and wounding one. Sixteen others threw down their weapons and surrendered.

The detainees are believed to have close ties with members of an al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist cell as well as links to foreign fighter facilitators.

Recent intelligence reports indicate the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist cell has been active with local vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and supporting the foreign fighter network. This intelligence was confirmed after ground forces discovered a suicide IED initiator and other explosive devices during the early morning raids.

Coalition and Iraqi forces continue to conduct operations around the clock and will persevere in their mission to deny and destroy terrorist safe havens, equipment and weapons.

IA, MND-B Soldiers seize weapons in apartment complex
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. PAO
MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers seized a large weapons cache and detained three individuals in the Qa-Qaa apartment Complex in Mahmudiyah, 30 km south of Baghdad, Saturday morning.

Iraqi Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, Fourth Brigade, Sixth Iraqi Army Division, teamed up with a U.S. advisory team from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and conducted a “cordon and knock” operation in the apartment complex.

Three 107 mm rockets, 24 82 mm mortar rounds, 17 60 mm mortar rounds, 19 60 mm mortar fuses, 100 mortar charges, two mortar tripods and aiming devices, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an AK-47 assault rifle, a RPK medium machine gun, false identification cards and four license plates were seized during the operation.

The most significant find in the cache was the discovery of 25 anti-armor improvised explosive device cover plates.

The operation was delayed briefly with the discovery of a car bomb parked near the apartment complex. An explosive ordinance team was brought in to dispose of the car bomb. The bomb was detonated on site.

The operation was based on actionable intelligence collected from sources in the area.

The detainees are in the custody of the Iraqi Army for questioning.

Coalition Forces kill 11 insurgents in Ramadi
Multi-National Corps – West PAO
RAMADI, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed 11 insurgents in three related incidents in Ramadi.

On Nov. 13, Coalition Forces observed a small number of insurgents emplacing an improvised explosive device. The insurgents were engaged by Coalition Forces with small arms fire, killing two. The three remaining insurgents returned to the emplacement site and Coalition Forces fired one tank main gun round, killing all three insurgents. There were secondary explosions, and the remains of the IED continued to burn for about an hour.

Following an IED attack on a Coalition Vehicle four hours later in the same vicinity, four insurgents were killed after they attempted to take mission essential equipment from the vehicle. Two of the insurgents were killed by small arms fire and two were killed with one main gun tank round.

This event occurred during curfew hours.

In a separate incident Nov. 14 in the same vicinity, three insurgents were observed emplacing an improvised explosive device. They were engaged with small arms fire and a main tank gun round. Two insurgents were killed.

There were no reports of civilian casualties as a result of the events.

Coalition Forces have conducted no air strikes in the vicinity of these events today.

No Coalition Forces were killed during these incidents.

AIR STRIKE KILLS 3 TERRORISTS IN YUSIFIYYAH
BAGHDAD, IRAQ – A Coalition Forces air strike killed three terrorists in Yusifiyyah during an operation Monday.

Coalition Forces tracked the terrorists’ movement on a dirt road on the outskirts of Yusifiyya.

Based on intelligence that linked the vehicle and the three terrorists to a local vehicle-borne improvised explosion device facilitation network, Coalition aircraft engaged and destroyed the vehicle with precision fires.

The result of this operation will significantly disrupt the VBIED production in the Baghdad region.

This and other recent operations in the region highlight the deliberate, methodical dismantlement of the al-Qaida in Iraq network and those who contribute to its illegal actions.

Terrorists kill themselves with IED(one for the Darwin awards methinks.)
Multi-National Division – North PAO

MOSUL, Iraq – Three terrorists were killed and one was seriously wounded on Nov. 13 when they tried to plant a roadside bomb in the Baghdad Garage neighborhood on Train Station Road in western Mosul.

The terrorists attempted to emplace a roadside bomb consisting of a 155 mm artillery round when it exploded prematurely, killing two of them instantly and injuring two more.

Iraqi Police responded to the explosion, finding the bodies of the two dead terrorists and evacuating the injured terrorists to a local hospital. One of the injured later died of his wounds. Two innocent bystanders, injured in the blast, were transported to Al Jamouri Hospital.

Coalition Forces capture members of insurgent cell
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Coalition Forces captured six insurgents and detained one other suspect Nov 13. in the Al Doura area of Baghdad during a raid against an insurgent cell responsible for deadly attacks against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi Security Forces in the area.

The insurgent cell is linked to Al Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgent groups and conducts improvised explosive device, rocket and mortar attacks which injure and kill Iraqi civilians, ISF and Coalition Forces.

Operations on the objective caused minimal damage and there were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or coalition forces casualties.

Iraqi Army detains kidnapping, murder-cell suspects
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Forces from the 7th Iraqi Army Division, with coalition advisors, conducted a raid Nov. 14 in Ramadi to capture members of a kidnapping and murder cell responsible for abducting, torturing and murdering Iraqi civilian and Iraqi security forces.

The cell members are also responsible for emplacing improvised explosive devices that injure and kill Iraqi police.
Iraqi Army forces detained eight suspects during the raid.

Operations on the objective caused minimal damage and there were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or coalition forces casualties.

CCCI convicts 13 insurgents

One sentenced to 42 years imprisonment, three sentenced to 30 years imprisonment BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted 13 security detainees from November 2 to 9, for various crimes including possession of illegal weapons, possessing false civil affair identifications, failure to renew resident identification and illegal border crossing.

The trial court found four Iraqi men guilty of possession of illegal special weapons and for using and forging fake identification. Multi-National Force – Iraq personnel searched two vehicles after observing the defendants throw a pistol out of one of the vehicle’s window. The search of both vehicles revealed 35 82mm mortar rounds, eight 122mm artillery rounds and one 12.7mm machine gun. The defendants were found in violation of Section 6, Paragraph 2B as well as Article 298 and Article 292 of the Iraqi Penal Code. On November 7, the trial panel sentenced one man to 42 years imprisonment and sentenced the other three men to 30 years imprisonment.

The trial court found three Iraqi men guilty of possession of illegal special weapons, in violation of section 6, Paragraph 2B of the Iraqi Penal Code. The defendants surrendered to MNF after the defendants fled a targeted house, engaged MNF-I personnel in a firefight, and were found with one PKC machine gun, three RPG launchers, five AK-47s, and five hand grenades. On November 8, the trial panel sentenced the three men to 15 years imprisonment.

There were six men convicted of passport violations, forging official documents, possession of illegal weapons, and entering the country illegally. The sentences ranged from between six months to 10 years imprisonment. Those convicted include three Iraqis, two Saudi Arabians, and one from Egypt.

Since its establishment in April 2004, the Central Criminal Court has held 1,697 trials for Coalition-apprehended insurgents. The proceedings have resulted in 1,460 convictions with sentences ranging up to death.

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