Good News From Iraq - As not reported on the BBC

But first some Australians hunting down Taliscum, the friends of Paul Flynn MP(proven liar, amoral coward and grade a shit who passes himself off as an MP and brings dishonor on the title he holds** More on him at the bottom of this post..) who spits bile and hate at our mission to help the Afghan people.

BAGHDAD — A year ago the area to the east of Ramadi was a haven for insurgents who attacked the city. These days much has changed in the surrounding rural lands of the east.

The once violent lands of the east are patrolled and guarded by the Abu-Bali Iraqi Police (IP) and Soldiers from Company A, 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment. Their latest mission was a joint operation, which gathered intelligence and pushed insurgents further from the city of Ramadi and its outlying towns.

“Today, we did routine clearance missions east of Ramadi,” said 1st Lt. Cory Sharbo, a platoon leader with Co. A, 3-69 Armor. “Normally we work alongside the IP, but today we’re only here to supervise.”

Sharbo, 25, from Pittsburgh, Pa., said that the area they patrol is much different than what people at home would normally expect when they think of Iraq.

“Everyone always thinks that it’s all desert,” Sharbo said. “Lots of the Soldiers look at this area we’re in with an almost Vietnam-style terrain with canals, tall grass and sweltering heat.”

During the operation, IPs scoured the surrounding countryside of Abu Waitha and began walking through neighborhoods greeting locals and asking if they needed any assistance. While they were meeting the locals, the IPs asked about terrorist activity in the area.

Sharbo said the mission was important because it served as a show of force for the IPs.

“Since we came into this area, the IP have shown lots of improvement,” he said. “They are more organized, able to do handle the different tasks required of a policeman and now handle detainees real well – they are running the show here.”

Although there is often much work associated with the IP, the Soldiers said, they don’t have much work left in order for the IP to be self-sufficient.

“Part of our duty here, outside of combat operations, is to make sure the IPs are getting paid, they are receiving fuel, and they are receiving equipment,” Sharbo said. “Right now we’re helping supply them, but it’s not a permanent thing. We are still setting them up to sustain themselves and when we leave we’re going to make sure they can support themselves.”

Although the mission failed to turn up any insurgents, the IP and Coalition forces considered their work that evening a success.

“The mission today helped a lot to cement the local support for the police and Coalition force efforts here,” Sharbo said. “The insurgents closed off all the business here and people were prisoners in their own homes. Now people can come and go as they please.”

For the Soldiers working in Abu Bali, serving with the Iraqi Security Forces and seeing the effects of their combined efforts on the people is a good feeling.

“Most of the success here is from the Iraqi Police,” said Spc. Dustin Dunckel, an infantryman with Co. A, 3-69 Armor. “They are from this area, and know the people and the land. By us building up a strong police force here, we’ve established a confidence among the IPs and the people.”

The missions the troops conduct with the Iraqi Security Forces are a far cry from the combat the troops experienced less than six months ago.

“When we first got here there were lots of improvised explosive devices, sniper and mortar fire here,” said the 26-year-old, Lansing, Mich., native. Dunckel added, “Working with the Iraqi Security Forces and patrolling the area has made this place safer now. The groups here are proud and stern Iraqis who I can trust to do their job well.”

(Story by U.S. Army Spc. Ricardo Branch, 1st BCT Public Affairs)

Coalition forces capture wanted terrorist, detain six suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a wanted suspected terrorist and detained six other suspects during operations Friday to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations in the Tigris River Valley.

Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist in Bayji believed to be associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq and have a significant role in recent attacks in the city. Intelligence led the ground force to his exact location where he identified himself and was captured without incident.

In two precision operations in Tarmiyah and Baghdad, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists during raids targeting individuals reported to be key communications links to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and their associates in and outside the country. Also in Baghdad, Coalition forces targeted an individual believed to be involved in attacks on Coalition forces in the area. Three suspected terrorists were detained on site.

“We’re steadily chipping away at the al-Qaeda in Iraq network,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “The disruption to their operations and supply of information hinders al-Qaeda in Iraq’s ability to attack innocent Iraqis.”

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces partner to detain six
Multi-National Division – Center

ZAMBRANIYAH — Iraqi army troops and Paratroopers detained six suspected al-Qaeda insurgents in an early morning air assault.

As paratroopers of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment approached the target area, suspects fled and hid in a canal near known safehouses. Three of the suspects were hiding among the vegetation in the canal.

“At first I was hoping that it wasn’t an ambush,” said 1st Lt. Travis J. Basset, platoon leader for Troop B.

Basset said the AH-64 Apache attack helicopters overhead informed him that the suspects were just hiding, which gave him the confidence to send his Paratroopers after them.

“They were just trying to get away from us, so we decided to just go after them,” Basset said. Having secured the four suspects, paratroopers moved on to the location of the houses they originally targeted.

Once the Iraqi army soldiers completed their search of the houses, Coalition Forces were alerted by the Apache attack helicopters that the other two suspected insurgents were attempting to escape via the same canal.

The Iraqi Army troops and paratroopers quickly moved to the location of the canal and apprehended the other two insurgents.

Sgt. Paul J. Benoit, a scout with 2nd platoon, Troop B, said the paratrooper-scout training he and his platoon provided to the Iraqi Army the week before was beginning to pay off, and he was glad to see them begin to do their part.

The 1-40th Cav. Regt. is operationally assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team 3rd Infantry Division, from the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda network, detain 21 suspects

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 21 suspected terrorists during operations Wednesday and Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq members in central and northern Iraq.

Coalition forces captured seven suspected terrorists Thursday during an operation south of Samarra, including an alleged foreign terrorist facilitator operating in the Salah ad Din province who identified himself to the ground force. During the operation, one armed individual was wounded while attempting to evade capture. He was treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further treatment.

In an operation in Bayji, Coalition forces captured a suspected associate to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders believed to facilitate meetings in the Tigris River Valley. Based on credible intelligence, the suspect is also believed to be responsible for attacks on Iraqi security forces in the region. In addition to the targeted individual, four suspected terrorists were detained on site.

Near Baghdad, Coalition forces targeted a suspect believed to be responsible for the movement of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader involved in foreign terrorist facilitation and supply for the Baghdad car-bombing network. Four suspected terrorists were detained during the operation. Coalition forces also detained five suspected terrorists Wednesday in a precision operation west of Tarmiyah targeting an associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist network.

"We're continuing to relentlessly pursue al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists who facilitate and conduct attacks against the Iraqi people and the security forces that protect them," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman.

Coalition forces capture suspected Special Groups members

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained two suspected Iraqi Special Groups members during an operation in northern Baghdad early Thursday.

Credible intelligence led Coalition forces to an individual suspected of weapons facilitation throughout central Iraq. The suspect is believed to have direct communication with senior Special Groups members as well as ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Corps – Quds Force.

During the operation, Coalition forces discovered a suspected terrorist making threatening movements on top of a building. After repeated attempts to direct the man to discontinue his actions, the individual did not comply. Perceiving a hostile threat, the ground force engaged the terrorist, killing him. Two suspected terrorists were detained on site.

"We will continue to target any group with followers who commit hostile actions and oppose security and stability in Iraq," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "Each time we capture one of these criminals, it brings us one step closer to a secure future for Iraq."

Paratroopers detain 12 in overnight missions
Multi-National Division – Center

HAWR RAJAB — Two combined missions Sept. 25 netted 12 detainees wanted for insurgent activities in the area.

Paratroopers of 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, netted the suspects during two separate operations overnight. The missions occurred south of Busayefi and west of Hawr Rajab.

Four of the detainees were on the paratroopers’ target list.

The paratroopers, who are operationally attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, are conducting missions in support of Operation Marne Torch II.

Like its predecessor, Marne Torch I, Marne Torch II is designed to provide safety and security to the Hawr Rajab and Arab Jabour regions and stem the flow of accelerants into Baghdad.

Controlled burn yields cache
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

ARAB JABOUR — A group of Task Force Marne Soldiers discovered a weapons cache Sept. 25

Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting a controlled burn when they discovered the cache. A controlled burn is a fire set to remove vegetation insurgents use as hiding places for themselves and their weapons.

The cache consisted of two 60mm mortars, two 60mm mortar primers, two 120mm mortar primers, 10 12.7mm rounds, 50 .50 caliber rounds, one rocket-propelled grenade, one Chinese-type RPG, one Chinese-type 69 RPG propelling charge, and five fuses.

The cache was moved to Patrol Base Murray for investigation.

Rashid citizens march in support of security volunteers

Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers observed a peaceful demonstration in support of Iraqi Security Volunteers in the West Rashid District of the Iraqi capital Sept. 26.

The demonstrators, who numbered approximately between 600 to 1000 people, marched through the streets of Saydiyah during the morning hours in a show of approval for the ongoing reconciliation efforts of an area that has been a source of sectarian friction in recent weeks.

Troops from Company C, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment “Vanguards” observed the event and made sure that the people in attendance were allowed to express their position without significant incident.

“A peaceful demonstration on the streets of Saydiyah is one of the most powerful symbols of a growing democracy there is,” said Col. Ricky D. Gibbs, commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

“Seeing the citizens marching in support of the Iraqi Security Volunteers serves as an important reminder of the positive impact the ISV are making in Rashid and how far the security situation there has come in recent weeks.”

Iraqi Security Forces, U.S. Special Forces detain 12 suspected insurgents during four separate raids
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – In four separate early-morning raids Sept. 24, Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained twelve suspected insurgents.

During one operation, Iraqi Security Forces conducted a security raid that resulted in the capture of an al-Qaeda in Iraq key leader and four suspected operatives near Tal ‘Afar. While clearing a row of homes in the village of Shaykh Ibrahim, the assault force received small-arms fire from one of the insurgents. The team responded with well-aimed suppressive fire and detained the armed terrorists. The targeted individual is believed to be an international financier with connections to several high-level al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders.

In a separate operation, Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained a suspected extremist cell leader and four cell members in Baghdad. The cell is responsible for improvised explosive device and mortar attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in the Baghdad area.

The detained extremist cell leader in Al Baya’a and has allegedly participated in multiple IED attacks resulting in several U.S. Army tactical vehicles destroyed. The group is further linked to more than 10 Katyusha rocket attacks against the International Zone area of Baghdad July 13, 14 and 19. In addition, the group is known for conducting extra judicial killings of Sunni citizens, installing illegal checkpoints and murdering five Sunnis in August.

During the operation, the assault force received small-arms fire. The forces responded with well-aimed and proportional fire and continued on the mission. There were no casualties resulting from this exchange of fire.

In a later raid, members of the 6th Iraqi Army Scouts detained a suspected extremist special group commander in Baghdad who is thought to be responsible for conducting explosively formed penetrator, mortar and IED attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces in Kamaliya and Sadr City.

The group he leads is suspected of conducting extra judicial killings of Sunni citizens, to include a March 22 IED attack and a Dec. 4, 2006 mortar attack against a Coalition installation in Baladiyat.

Another suspected extremist special group cell leader, suspected of establishing an assassination cell and killing an Iraqi Army officer, was detained in Ad Diwaniyah by members of the 8th Iraqi Army Scouts. He is additionally suspected of distributing large weapons caches of EFPs and IEDs to other insurgent cells within Ad Diwaniyah.

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

US-led forces kill top al-Qaida leader.

WASHINGTON - U.S.-led forces have killed one of the most important leaders of al-Qaida in Iraq, a Tunisian believed connected to the kidnapping and killings last summer of American soldiers, a top commander said Friday.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Anderson said the death of the suspected terrorist in a U.S. airstrike Tuesday south of Baghdad, and recent similar operations against al-Qaida, have left the organization in Iraq fractured. “Abu Usama al-Tunisi was one of the most senior leaders ... the emir of foreign terrorists in Iraq and part of the inner leadership circle,” Anderson said.

Al-Tunisi was a leader in helping bring foreign terrorists into the country and his death “is a key loss” to al-Qaida leadership there, Anderson told a Pentagon news conference. “He operated in Yusufiyah, southwest of Baghdad, since the second battle of Fallujah in November ‘04 and became the overall emir of Yusufiyah in the summer of ‘06,” Anderson said in a videoconference from Baghdad. “His group was responsible for kidnapping our American soldiers in June 2006,” Anderson said.

**“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself." - One for the traitor and libelist Paul Flynn MP.
Tags:Iraq
MNF Iraq
Al Qaeda
War on Terror
Iraqi Army
101st Fighting Keyboardists

.