Good News From Iraq - As not reported on the BBC

ABU GHRAIB — “I promise to give my allegiance and my service to the nation and people of Iraq,” the middle-aged men said in unison.

“I promise to cooperate in order to serve the Iraqi people and build a new Iraqi nation,” they continued with their hands stacked one over the other on top of a copy of the Quran.

“I will support and defend the Iraqi government and the people of Iraq against other organizations. For these reasons I sign below,” the men concluded, subsequently signing a card with the oath they had just sworn to uphold with God and one another as witnesses.

The men were not enlisting in the Iraqi army or taking an oath of public office. Instead, they were part of a mass enrollment of everyday citizens into the Coalition Critical Infrastructure Force, whose members are most commonly referred to as the volunteers.

Volunteers are men all equally eager to protect their communities, said Capt. Jay Bunte, who points them in the right direction when it’s their turn to take the oath.

The opportunity to swear allegiance to the government of Iraq, apply for an identification card and thereby work toward greater security was made possible by a local leader, Sheik Abd. The elderly man hosted Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, for the event in the small Shia town of Al Awad on the western fringe of Iraq’s capital, said Bunte, a native of Arlington, Texas.

“He’s a local leader who is for the people. He’s worried about the security of the town and what better way to provide security than by themselves (rather than continuing) to rely on coalition forces,” Bunte said. “Before we arrived (on this deployment rotation) they policed their own. They actually fought off insurgents themselves.”

The volunteers are enrolled into the Biometric Automated Tool Set (BATS) system, said Sgt. Joseph Box, the BATS system non-commissioned officer in charge for Co. B.

Throughout the event approximately 150 volunteers entered the room set up to accommodate the BATS system. Eight stations processed one volunteer at a time. Each volunteer provided their name and date of birth. Height, weight and hair color were recorded. All ten fingerprints were taken along with a passport size photo. Finally, one eye was painlessly scanned with an infrared laser recording an image of the iris, Box, a native of San Bernardino, Calif., said.

“It’s the best way we have of identifying people” Box said of the system he has operated for almost one year.

The scan of the iris is the most accurate identifying feature of the BATS system. For the past three years the iris-scan technology has been on the market. “Only now is it being mass produced and utilized in the field,” Box said.

Data from those enrolled in the BATS system is compared to an existing database of people already enrolled. Enrollees profiles are maintained by Multi-National Division-Baghdad, but shared with forces operating throughout Iraq and even service members serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, he said.

The technology is useful to Soldiers because it allows identification without necessarily having the suspect’s name.

“Even if the name is wrong I’ll know it’s the guy because of his iris scans and biometrics,” Box said.

In the case of the volunteers, the BATS system is a safeguard measure to protect against individuals trying to infiltrate the security force, Box said. “If 500 people show up today, chances are there (is) one or two rotten apples in the bunch.”

Though a positive match, or “coming up hot” on a BATS system, is not in and of itself evidence, “it can help our command make the decision whether or not to send (a suspect) to the holding area,” Box said. “We’ve had some success with it processing unknown detainees back at our battalion holding area.”

Every detainee is entered into the system, Box said. “Most of the time, when they see this equipment, they recognize it right of way. Not too many of these guys get pictures of their eyeballs taken. They don’t forget it.”

After enrolling, the volunteers were congratulated by their host, Sheik Abd. They washed their hands and as a group placed their hands on their sacred text. The men swore to their God to protect and uphold the rule of law and be loyal to the government of Iraq. Finally, they received a card with the oath and signed it.

“It’s them swearing to defend their town to the best of their ability,” Bunte said of the ritual.

Once the volunteers receive their ID cards, they are sworn protectors of their communities, Bunte said. By week’s end, the volunteers will take to the street to keep the promises they’ve made to Iraq’s government, its people and most importantly, their God.

Operation Lightning Hammer continues clearing Diyala, brings humanitarian aid
Multi-National Division – North PAO

TIKRIT, Iraq – Operation Lightning Hammer continued into its fifth day Aug. 18 as 16,000 Iraqi and Coalition Forces Soldiers worked to secure parts of Diyala province and bring food and medical aid to the people there.

On the evening of Aug. 17, Coalition Forces medics and a physician’s assistant from Troop C, 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, provided medical treatment for 30 families in the village of Abu Tina and distributed bags of rice and flour to each family.

The Soldiers also made improvements to the roadways and bridges in the village to improve traffic capacity.

Soldiers from Troop A, 6-9 ARS, delivered eight bags of rice and 15 bags of flour to residents near the village of Majjid Shayya as well as four bags of flour each to families in the village of Ar Ramilat.

Meanwhile, Soldier from 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, conducted an air assault into the village of Qubah and discovered two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices as well as al-Qaeda in Iraq propaganda there.

Operation Lightning Hammer is part of a wider array of operations across Iraq to destroy al-Qaeda and other enemy militant groups and restore security and necessary services to the Iraqi citizens. The operation closely follows Operation Arrowhead Ripper, which was a major push to clear Diyala’s capital Baqouba of al-Qaeda networks.

Coalition Forces Kill Eight, Detain Three, Capturing a Special Groups Leader and Smuggler of Iranian Weapons

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured a weapons smuggler and Special Groups extremist leader before dawn Monday near Qasirin, north of Baghdad.

Coalition Forces conducted a raid targeting this known weapons distributor and Special Groups leader. The captured weapons facilitator was responsible for the storage and distribution of Iranian weapons. Coalition Forces intelligence suggests the weapons facilitator has traveled to and from Iran numerous times and is responsible for smuggling and distributing deadly explosively formed penetrators (EFPs). The target was also responsible for the distribution of those weapons to Special Groups operating throughout the Baghdad area and was connected to a very large network of weapons facilitators and Special Groups associates. The weapons smuggler is believed to have had ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps-Quds Force.

While on the objective, armed gunmen, suspected to be extremist militants, began gathering and maneuvering against Coalition Forces. Coalition Forces were fired upon from multiple directions with sustained small arms fire. Coalition Forces returned fire, killing eight gunmen.

Two others detained during the raid are also suspected of distributing weapons smuggled into Iraq from Iran. One of the buildings searched during the raid produced several AK-47s, ammunition, grenades, a large sum of currency, identification cards and questionable documents, which were all confiscated for analysis and evaluation.

“Coalition troops continue to kill and capture terrorists who bring Iranian weapons, especially EFPs, into Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue to pursue these networks that provide these weapons to those who intend to kill Coalition Forces, Iraqi Security Forces and innocent Iraqis.”

Citizens turn in 4 caches
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
Multi-National Division – Center

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi concerned citizens led Coalition Forces to four caches located in the southern belts around Baghdad Aug. 19.

Troops of Company B, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, were alerted Aug. 19 there were two caches near a highway in the Mahmudiyah area.

The call came after a contractor hired to clean out canals in the North Hargawi area found two caches along the Mulla Fayyad Highway that contained a DShKa heavy machine-gun barrel, receiver, mount, seat and tripod, 133 green flares and 54 red flares.

A local citizen took Soldiers of Co. D, 4-31st Inf. Regt. to another cache, north of al-Taqa. It contained eight 57mm and nine 150mm canisters and two 50-pound bags of homemade explosives.

Northwest, at Patrol Base Warrior Keep, near Sadr al-Yusufiyah, a concerned citizen brought a cache containing a 155mm round, 10 pounds of homemade explosive, and a pressure-bar trigger for an improvised explosive device to troops of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT.

An explosive ordnance team destroyed all contents of the caches during a controlled detonation.

MND-B Apache crews destroy anti-aircraft weapon
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Multi-National Division-Baghdad attack helicopter crews destroyed a possible antiaircraft weapon and enemy vehicle at about 3 p.m. Aug. 19 in southern Baghdad.

Apache crews from the 4th “Guns” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, spotted a sport utility vehicle with something protruding from the back that appeared to be an antiaircraft weapon system covered by a tarp.

The Apache crews were cleared to engage the vehicle by the ground unit, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. The crews engaged the vehicle, destroying it and the possible weapon system.

The ground unit was unable to get to the site of the engagement to confirm the presence of an antiaircraft weapon system.

Iraqi tips aid Coalition Forces; operations kill 5 terrorists, detain 11 suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed five terrorists and detained 11 suspected terrorists during three operations in central and northern Iraq Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and its supporting terror networks.

Iraqi civilians west of Baqubah reported that al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives had moved into the area and forced civilians out of their homes. Coalition Forces moved into the area to conduct an operation targeting a terrorist facilitator believed to operate a safe house for terrorist meetings. An assault force element moved into the target buildings to secure them, but encountered two armed men inside who drew their weapons. Coalition Forces engaged and killed the men. Another armed man emerged from a nearby building with a weapon aimed at the assault force. Coalition Forces responded in self-defense and engaged the armed man, killing him.

When surveillance teams observed armed men maneuvering to a small palm grove near the assault force, Coalition Forces attempted to call them out of their fighting positions, but the enemy fighters did not comply. Coalition Forces responded appropriately to the armed hostile threat and engaged with small arms fire while close air support aircraft engaged the armed men with machine gun fire. Ground forces assess one terrorist was killed in the engagement. At the scene, the ground forces discovered improvised explosive devices and safely disarmed them. Five suspected terrorists were detained.

In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured a Syrian who allegedly facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists and supports an al-Qaeda in Iraq bomb-manufacturing network. Receiving small arms fire when they arrived on the objective, the assault force returned fire. The ground forces assessed one suspected terrorist was wounded, and four suspects were detained for their ties to the bomb-making cell. Intelligence reports indicate the cell was planning a large-scale attack in the Husaybah area.

Using information gained during an operation Jul. 26, Coalition Forces raided a series of buildings south of Kirkuk targeting a close associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader. Upon arrival at the scene, surveillance teams observed one man moving into position against the assault force. Coalition Forces, responding appropriately to the hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him. The ground forces detained two suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the terrorist leader.

“Iraqis are making it clear they do not support al-Qaeda in Iraq, nor do they want terrorists in their communities,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “With their help, we will continue our assault on al-Qaeda in Iraq and its terror networks.”

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain two, destroy weapons cache
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

TAJI – The 4th Iraqi Army, with support from an Iraqi Security Infrastructure Battalion, detained one suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist Aug. 19 in a raid near the Heyshel area of Kirkuk.

With U.S. Special Forces as advisers, seven houses were searched for the insurgent who is suspected of conducting vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks in the Mosul and Kirkuk area. Additionally, he is suspected of mortar and small arms attacks, sniper attacks, murder, kidnapping, ransom, and intimidation of local citizens, resulting in the deaths of innocent Iraqis in the area.

Iraqi forces seized one Dragunov Sniper Rifle with magazines, one rocket propelled grenade launcher with rounds, an AK-47 assault rifle, artillery rounds, a rocket, chest harnesses, and military uniforms.

In a second operation, Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained one suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist during an intelligence driven raid in the Al Washira district of Ramana near Al Qaim.

During the operation local civilians reported that the targeted individuals fled into a nearby mosque. U.S. Special Forces provided external security while Iraqi Forces conducted a search of the mosque.

No Iraqi or U.S. Special Forces were injured during these operations.

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces destroy weapons cache
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, destroyed a weapons cache during an intelligence driven raid Aug. 20 near Diwaniyah.

The forces discovered a large cache containing large quantities of explosively formed penetrators and rocket propelled grenades in the targeted building. Using precision aerial fires, the teams destroyed the cache. No civilians were present at the scene and there were no injuries.

No Iraqi or U.S. Special Forces were injured during this operation.

Citizen sacrifices life to thwart suicide bomber
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – An Iraqi man saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians when he intercepted a suicide bomber during a Concerned Citizens meeting in the town of al-Arafia Aug. 18.

The incident occurred while Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, were talking with members of the al-Arafia Concerned Citizens, a volunteer community group, at a member’s house.

“I was about 12 feet away when the bomber came around the corner,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Kane, of Los Altos, Calif., acting platoon sergeant of Troop B, 3-1 Cav. “I was about to engage when he jumped in front of us and intercepted the bomber as he ran toward us. As he pushed him away, the bomb went off.”

The citizen’s actions saved the lives of four U.S. Soldiers and eight civilians.

Kane felt the loss personally because he had met and interacted with his rescuer many times before the incident.

“He was high-spirited and really believed what the group (Concerned Citizens) was doing,” Kane said. “I have no doubt the bomber was trying to kill American Soldiers. It was very calculated the way the bomber tried to do it. If he hadn’t intercepted him, there is no telling how bad it could have been.”

Kane believes the citizen is a hero.

“He could have run behind us or away from us, but he made the decision to sacrifice himself to protect everyone. Having talked with his father, I was told that even if he would have known the outcome before hand, he wouldn’t have acted differently.”

Capt. Brian Gilbert, of Boise, Idaho, the commander of Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, currently attached to 3-1 Cavalry, echoed Kane’s sentiment.

“I spoke with the father,” Gilbert said. “He said he has no remorse in his son’s death because he died saving American Soldiers.”

Later that night, the Concerned Citizens group contacted the local National Police director, Lt. Col. Samir, with the location of the al-Qaeda cell believed to be responsible for the attack. The National Police immediately conducted a raid that resulted in four arrests.

Despite the citizen’s death, Gilbert is encouraged by the cooperation between citizens and the Iraqi National Police.

“The effort of the Concerned Citizens group has made the area much safer,” he said. “They are proud of who they are and their area, and want to get rid of the terrorists in their area.”

Gilbert also praised the Iraqi National Police’s role in eliminating insurgents in the area.

“The cooperation between them and the Concerned Citizens has been key,” Gilbert said. “The NP has done a great job of responding to the tips they have been given by the group.”

Gilbert said he believes the area is improving because of the efforts of local citizens. The death, while unfortunate, demonstrated how close many in the area have become with the American Soldiers operating there.

“I consider many in the town friends, and I know they feel the same,” Gilbert said. “This is a tough situation, but we’ll move on and try to prevent things like this from happening again. I’ve talked with his family and told them how brave their son was. This is a huge loss for everyone involved.”

0 detained after RPG attack from mosque
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Coalition troops responding to reports of weapons being moved into a mosque south of Mahmudiyah were attacked with a rocket-propelled grenade Aug. 18.

A local resident called Coalition Forces and reported weapons being unloaded from a vehicle and moved into a mosque. Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., investigated the report.

As the vehicles came up the road near the mosque, an RPG was fired from the building. It struck the vehicle and caused a small fire which Soldiers quickly extinguished.

Another platoon of 2-15 FAR troops arrived and secured the area. A bystander said a group of armed men had fled the mosque in groups of three and dispersed in different directions.

Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division searched the mosque, finding five possible rocket-launching devices. They also examined nearby buildings. A home near the mosque contained a flak vest and ammunition. Iraqi troops detained 10 people on suspicion of involvement in the incident.

As Soldiers of 2-15 FAR returned to Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah, another RPG round was fired at them, but missed.

The detained men were taken to the Iraqi Army Compound in Mahmudiyah for further questioning.

The mosque was not damaged during the incident.

Marne Soldiers coordinate air support, kills 5 insurgents
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Task Force Marne Soldiers and aviators joined forces Aug. 18 to kill five insurgents targeting a combat outpost southeast of Baghdad.

Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment reported receiving small arms fire at Combat Outpost Cahill from two sides late Saturday night. No Soldiers were injured by the sporadic gunfire.

The Soldiers on the ground were able to guide 1st Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade aircraft onto the squad-sized enemy element within minutes of the initial contact. The aircraft engaged and destroyed one truck and one anti-aircraft weapon system.

The 1-15th Infantry is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Benning, Ga., and the 1-3 CAB is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga.

Footage of the attack can be found at: http://www.dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=27603

Four caches discovered in the Diyala River Valley during Operation Lightning Hammer
Multi-National Division – North PAO

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Soldiers assigned to 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered four weapons caches in Qubbah and Mukeisha villages, in the Diyala River Valley, Iraq, during Operation Lightning Hammer, Aug 18.

While conducting a clearance operation in the village of Qubbah, Soldiers discovered two caches consisting of small-arms ammunition and magazines, 20 sticks of dynamite, detonation cord, 78 blasting caps, one pistol, a suicide vest carrier, six DVDs of suicide bombers, land contracts to rent land to members of the Islamic State of Iraq, propaganda encouraging extremists to kill Coalition Forces and a Wahabbist handbook.

Two other caches were discovered in the village of Mukeisha, which contained 14 Katusha rockets, 10 rocket-propelled grenades, 20-60mm mortar rounds, five 60mm mortar tubes, eight sticks of dynamite, and a DSHKA anti-aircraft weapon system.

“The discovery of these caches will significantly degrade al-Qaida’s ability to conduct operations in the Diyala River Valley,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander.

“Taking away their weapons systems further allows the local and provincial government to begin rebuilding the systems that provide essential services like food, water, and electricity to the citizens in this area.”

Coalition Forces strike al-Qaeda in Iraq; one terrorist killed, 24 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and detained 24 suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq Tuesday and Wednesday targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and their degrading network.

Coalition Forces conducted two precision raids east of Samarra Tuesday targeting a senior leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq and his associates. Five suspected terrorists were detained in the coordinated operations, one of whom is believed to be the terrorist leader’s close associate.

Wednesday, Coalition Forces continued targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq with two more operations in Salah ad Din province. In a raid south of Tikrit, ground forces captured an individual believed to use his position with Iraqi emergency response teams to assist al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists. When the assault force arrived at the target area, they observed several armed men moving into positions around them. Coalition Forces called in close air support to defend against the armed men, and machine gun fire from the aircraft killed one armed man. Another suspected terrorist was injured in the engagement. He received medical attention on site and was transported to a military medical facility for further treatment. Several other suspected terrorists surrendered as the ground forces advanced, and eight were detained in the operation.

In the other operation in Salah ad Din province, intelligence reports led Coalition Forces to Bayji, where an al-Qaeda in Iraq emir was allegedly seeking refuge because of pressure from Coalition operations. The ground forces detained four individuals for their suspected ties to the emir and other al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders.

During a raid in Baghdad Wednesday, Coalition Forces captured an individual believed to be a close associate and bodyguard of an al-Qaeda in Iraq emir. The suspected associate identified himself to Coalition Forces on the scene as the targeted individual, and four additional suspected terrorists were detained.

Coalition Forces conducted an operation in Anbar province Wednesday to further decimate the al-Qaeda in Iraq media network. During the operation, Coalition Forces captured the cell’s alleged leader and one other suspected terrorist.

“Our steady operations against al-Qaeda in Iraq are affecting terrorists’ ability to operate,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “While they struggle to maintain their network, we will continue our efforts to dismantle it.”

Commando air assault detains suspected insurgent disguised as pregnant woman
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

AL-OWESAT, Iraq — Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 14th infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., detained several men during an air assault mission along the Euphrates River, Aug. 20.

One of the men detained was dressed as a pregnant woman.

Crimson Shogun was an operation targeting al-Qaeda-allied terrorist networks in the Owesat and Fetoah areas along the river and brought together more than 100 Soldiers of 2-14 Inf., 50 Iraqi army troops and two local residents who volunteered to help identify terrorists.

Thirteen men were detained for further questioning, one of whom was on the battalion’s list of persons of interest. His brother was also detained, and was found by the Soldiers of Company A disguised as a pregnant woman in an attempt to avoid capture.

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces capture high-level terrorist in Mosul
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained a high-level terrorist during an intelligence-driven operation in Mosul on Aug. 20.

Intelligence indicates the targeted individual is believed to be in charge of security for Mosul-based ISI, an organization established as a front for al-Qaeda in Iraq and uses kidnapping and executions to enforce his security actions. He also reportedly interrogates kidnapping victims for extortion, information collection and executes them.

One other suspicious individual was also detained during the operation. The forces also seized a variety of military equipment and documents at the targeted residence.

No Iraqi or U.S. Special Forces coalition forces were injured during this raid.

Iraqi Army, U.S. Special Forces raid nets suspected money laundering terrorist
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, conducted an intelligence driven raid, detaining one individual who is suspected of money laundering Aug. 20 in Bayji.

During the operation, Iraqi Army Scouts simultaneously raided multiple buildings, detaining their primary target. The suspected terrorist is believed to be responsible for smuggling money in exchange for weapons, explosives and men, which are then used by the al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network for attacks against innocent civilians and Coalition Forces.

Ledgers, a large sum of Iraqi and U.S. money, money counting machines, a9mm pistol and various ammunition were confiscated for further analysis.

No Iraqi or U.S. Special Forces were injured during the raid.

One terrorist killed, 10 suspects detained in Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed one terrorist and detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations around Iraq Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons and leadership networks.

During an operation north of Baqubah, Coalition Forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader and two other suspected terrorists. Intelligence reports indicate the cell leader was a terrorist weapons facilitator and has been watching a Coalition Forces base, possibly to plan an attack. During the operation, the ground forces observed a man maneuvering around them and passing information about the assault force to additional enemy elements. Coalition Forces, responding to the threat against the force, engaged the man, killing him.

Coalition Forces captured two targeted individuals and detained two other suspected terrorists during coordinated raids in Bayji. One of the suspects is an alleged safe house operator and meeting coordinator for senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Another suspect is believed to be second-in-command to the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of Bayji, who is linked to several attacks against Coalition Forces.

In Mosul, Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid looking for an al-Qaeda in Iraq improvised explosive device facilitator, who is believed to receive, store and assemble IEDs at his home. The ground forces detained one suspected terrorist. Coalition Forces also detained one suspected terrorist during a raid on a farm complex north of Muqdadiyah targeting members of an al-Qaeda in Iraq anti-aircraft cell.

“Our operations continue to target terrorist leaders and their resources,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We are on the offensive to keep al-Qaeda from making headline-grabbing attacks against the Iraqi people.”

Al-Qaeda disrupted in Tigris River Valley: 7 terrorists killed, 12 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed seven terrorists and detained 12 suspected terrorists during operations Friday to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq networks in central and northern Iraq.

Coalition Forces returned to an area east of Tarmiyah where they killed 13 terrorists and captured 12 suspects last week during an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell in the area. Local Iraqis who had helped Coalition Forces target the cell last week continued to provide information about terrorist operations there. Upon the assault force’s arrival on the scene, two armed men engaged them with small arms fire. Coalition Forces returned fire in self defense, killing the two terrorists. As the assault force continued to secure the group of buildings, they encountered five separate armed men, each attempting to barricade himself in a room. In each case, when the armed men drew their weapons, Coalition Forces defended against the hostile threat and engaged them, killing all five.

Inside one of the buildings, the ground forces found fighting positions carved out of the structure. Coalition Forces detained four suspected terrorists, and assess that nine individuals identified by name in intelligence reports had been killed or captured.

“With the help of the Iraqi community, we basically crippled this cell,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We’ll continue working with local citizens to dismantle the rest of the networks that threaten the security of Iraq.”

Three other operations in the Tigris River Valley rounded up eight suspected terrorists. In Mosul, Coalition Forces detained two suspects while targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who issues orders to attack Kurds, Iraqi Police and Coalition Forces, and is believed to be a key recruiter for al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Near Taji, information from an operation Aug. 17 helped Coalition Forces target a weapons facilitator who is associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. The ground forces detained four suspected terrorists during the raid. North of there, an operation to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq’s influence in Bayji netted two suspected terrorists allegedly tied to the top terrorist leaders in the area.

Iraqi citizens, police stand up to Al-Qaeda attack
Multi-National Division – North PAO

KANA’AN, Iraq – Iraqi citizens and police fought back against an al-Qaeda attack on two villages near Kana’an early Thursday morning, brought on because the villagers had begun assisting Iraqi Security Forces in pushing the terrorist group out of the area.

An unknown number of terrorists were killed, said Skeik Thar al-Karki, the paramount sheik for the Karki tribe, stating they could not determine the number because AQI members load the bodies in vehicles during attacks.

Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of Coalition Forces in Diyala province, visited leaders in both villages where they reported 10 citizens killed, 11 wounded and 14 women and children taken hostage. Many villagers commented to Sutherland that this kind of brutality would only stiffen their resolve and cause other nearby villages to stand up against AQI.

“This is a disgraceful act showing the truly barbaric acts of al-Qaeda and the disdain they show for the foundations of Islam,” said Col. Sutherland. “Their actions will not be tolerated and they will be brought to justice.”

The attack was targeted at two senior sheiks in Kana’an who have been backing concerned local nationals and security forces in their stand against AQI, said Thar.
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