The Taliban - Just a quick reminder on how civilized they are & good news from Iraq.

FOXNews - Taliban militants slashed the hands and legs of five abducted policemen in southern Afghanistan and hung their mutilated bodies from trees in a warning to villagers against working with the government, officials said Sunday. The officers had been abducted two months ago from their checkpoint in southern Uruzgan province, said Juma Gul Himat, the provincial police chief.

The Taliban slashed their hands and legs and hung the bodies on trees Saturday in Gazak village of Derawud district, he said. “The Taliban told the people that whoever works with the government will suffer the same fate as these policemen,” Himat said. “This village is under Taliban control. There are more than 100 Taliban in this village.”

Taliban kill boy for speaking English.

KHOST, Afghanistan - Taliban militants shot dead a teenage boy in southeastern Afghanistan for teaching English to his classmates, police said on Thursday.

Taliban militants have killed a number of teachers and students in recent years for attending government-run schools, taking part in classes for girls or what the hardline Islamist militants consider un-Islamic subjects.

Armed men arrived at the school in the Sayed Karam district of Paktia province and grabbed a 16-year-old student and dragged him outside.

**You gotta love the way that the weak media in the West refers to these barbarian savages as "militants", where as a better phrase would be "terrorists" or maybe "sub-human barbarian head chopping scum"

Meanwhile strange how the same media has gone all quiet with regards to Iraq?...Wonder how long before the BBC decides to report stories like this one?

The surge is working...
BAGHDAD — Bullet holes attest to the battleground that was this two-block portion of the Doura neighborhood. Just a few months ago, residents were afraid to step outside, leaving their neighborhood filled with garbage, without power and with most of its shops closed.

That was until members of 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, made a concerted effort to weed out insurgents and put the citizens of Doura’s east side on the track to success.

“When we first arrived here, there were (10) stores open on the entire street,” said Army Lt. Col. Jim Crider, the squadron commander, as he toured the peaceful streets with members of the Iraqi media. “There were several attacks, improvised explosive devices every day, and no one wanted to cooperate.

“Initially, we stayed on the street to protect the people (24) hours a day, seven days a week, until we became friends with the people,” he said.

As of Oct. 27, (138) stores were open, Crider added.

Staying out on the streets and erecting barriers to prevent gunfire from entering the area began to pay off in more ways than one. Citizens began to come back outside and an Iraqi National Police checkpoint was relocated because it was deemed unnecessary to protect that portion of town.

“This is one of the safest places in Doura,” said Pvt. David Polasek, a Lawrenceville, Ga., native serving with Troop A, 1-4 Cav., as he watched Iraqis laying new concrete on the street median. “More people are coming out every day because they feel safer.”

Once the citizens began to feel more secure, the insurgent threat began to diminish.

“Once we began to trust each other and share information, the insurgents could no longer hide,” Crider, a native of Hopkinsville, Ky., said. “At the same time, we began to work on essential services projects such as trash pickup and street lights. Once they saw they had good power and jobs, the area began to look much nicer and the insurgents began to disappear. And things got really good.”

Many projects aimed at helping citizens have been completed in the past few months. “We suffered a lack of security and essential services in (this area) until three months ago, when the citizens and local contractors were able to complete (22) projects together,” said Dr. Moayaad, who lives in the neighborhood.

Some of the citizens said the area hasn’t been as good since before Saddam Hussein left power.

“The situation got worse after the fall (of Baghdad) until this moment,” said Aalaa Eldien Salim, a butcher whose shop was one of the few that remained open during the tough times the neighborhoods endured. “The security gradually started to return to the area because of the presence of Coalition forces in the area. They are rescuing us from the saboteur’s elements. The lighting in the area is important for the shops.”

Salim said he was able to keep in business because of monetary help. “I had damages due to explosions around my shop,” he said. “I received a grant, which helped me to fix the windows, but I still need to buy some stuff for the shop, like a freezer.”

The streets were once empty but for a few stores, now they are busy with the activity of a garbage truck making routine rounds to pick up trash, workers placing multicolored bricks down as a new sidewalk, children playing, and people visiting the Doura clinic for their medical needs.

(Story by Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert Timmons, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs)

Government of Iraq Expands Micro-Loan Program

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Government of Iraq (GoI) has established a program to provide $30 million in micro-loans to Iraqis in each of the 18 provinces.

The program is an expansion of a $50 million pilot in Baghdad with extremely successful results. Under the new program, $30 million- $15 million from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA) and $15 million from the Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MoIM)- will be used to help spur small business growth and create job opportunities.

Under this program, the loans are purposely kept at small amounts to encourage the growth of small businesses. The average loan size is between $4,600 and $9,000, depending on the source of the loan. Based on past results, the program has the potential to create over 230,000 new jobs for Iraqis.

MNF-I applauds the establishment of this entirely Iraqi-led program.

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda media networks; six killed, 15 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed six terrorists and detained 15 suspects, including two wanted individuals Sunday and Monday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda propaganda operations in central Iraq.

During an operation southwest of Baqubah Sunday, Coalition forces targeted the alleged media emir of the Diyala province. Coalition forces observed four armed men in the target area, and, perceiving hostile intent, fired warning shots in an attempt to get the men to drop their weapons. When the suspects failed to comply, the ground force engaged the armed men. A vehicle associated with the men caught on fire from the engagement, and Coalition forces observed secondary explosions, indicating bomb-making materials were likely inside. As the ground force secured the area, they assessed four terrorists were killed from the explosions during the operation.

Coalition forces conducted a separate operation targeting a suspected terrorist associated with the four terrorists killed southwest of Baqubah. As the ground force approached the target building, they called for the building’s occupants to come out. One man came out of the building, but ignoring their instructions he continued to move toward them and ignored warning shots. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged and killed the terrorist. As the ground force secured the area, they found two large weapons caches of rockets, mortars and improvised explosive devices, which the ground force safely destroyed to prevent further use by terrorists. The ground force detained two suspects on site.

Coalition forces captured a wanted individual west of Baqubah during operations targeting an associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders, including the suspected Diyala media emir and an associate. Coalition forces secured the target building, finding a media cache, believed to be used for al-Qaeda in Iraq propaganda. The wanted individual was subsequently detained.

In an operation east of Samarra, Coalition forces targeted an al-Qaeda media headquarters and safe house, also believed to be used by foreign terrorists. As Coalition forces secured the target building and entered a room, a man reached for a suicide vest. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged and killed the terrorist before the vest detonated. The ground force detained seven suspects on site.

Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations in southern Tikrit targeting foreign terrorist facilitators and associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. The wanted individual was believed to be an associate helping with the movement of senior terrorist leaders in the Haditha region. Coalition forces detained four suspects in addition to the wanted individual.

“Many operations lead us to other targets,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “These operations, with the help of Iraqi citizens and security forces, get us closer to a peaceful Iraq.”

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda networks; one killed, 14 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – One terrorist was killed and 14 suspects were detained during Coalition operations Tuesday, while targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.

Coalition forces conducted an operation in Mosul targeting an alleged terrorist leader in the city. The targeted individual has reportedly been involved in the planning of attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces, to include several suicide car-bombing attacks, and the purchase of various weapons and explosives.

As Coalition forces approached the target building, they immediately received enemy fire from the ground floor and roof of the building. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged the terrorists. As a result of the engagement, a fire erupted in the courtyard and quickly spread to the kitchen. At that time enemy fire ceased. Coalition forces continued to follow the armed men who fired from the roof and subsequently detained one suspect.

After the fire was out, the ground force entered the building and found that one terrorist had been killed during the engagement. Upstairs they found one woman had been killed and one child was injured as a result of the fire. The child received medical care on site, but later died while being transported to a military medical facility.

During an operation southeast of Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and three other suspects while targeting associates of a terrorist network operating in Arab Jabour. Reports indicate the targeted individuals are intimately involved in the planning and direction of terrorist operations in the area.

South of Bayji, Coalition forces detained nine suspects during operations targeting an alleged terrorist weapons facilitator. The target replaced the former al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the border region who was killed during a Coalition forces operation Sept. 11. The targeted individual reportedly facilitates the movement of funds for senior facilitators operating in and outside of Iraq.

"Al-Qaeda continues to conduct terrorist activities that place innocent civilians, including women and children, at risk," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "Their terrorist activities and frequent murdering of Iraqi citizens are being rejected throughout Iraq. Iraqi and Coalition forces will find these criminals, wherever they hide, and bring them to justice."

1-15th Inf. Regt. detains 10, kills one extremist (Al Bawi)

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, conducted an air assault early Nov. 11 near Al Bawi, resulting in 10 suspected extremists detained and one killed.

During the air assault, Company A Soldiers cleared 17 buildings of weapons and military paraphernalia. All detainees were brought in for questioning.

“In the past, the Al Bawi area has been a stronghold for al-Qaeda,” said Capt. Joshua Powers, from Atlanta, assistant operations officer, 1-15th Inf. Regt. “We used an air insertion to disrupt an area they thought was a safe haven. This operation sends a clear message to the insurgents in the area that we will continue to bring the fight to them. The people of that area see that we are actively pursuing the enemy and will eventually rid the area of their influence.”

The 1-15th Inf. Regt. is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Benning, Ga., and has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since March.

MND-B Soldiers find cache, capture suspect

4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. PAO
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers arrested a suspected extremist and found a weapons cache during ongoing operations in the Doura area of the Iraqi capital Nov. 11-12.
Troops with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, operating in southern Baghdad attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., detained a suspected al-Qaeda operative during a night mission Nov. 11.
The individual was identified thanks to information provided by an area resident. The man, suspected of numerous murders and kidnappings, is being held for further questioning.
At approximately 6 a.m. Nov. 12, troops found a weapons cache hidden in an abandoned building. The Soldiers found more than 100 rounds of rifle ammunition, an old rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an assault rifle bolt and bolt carrier and an 82mm mortar round.
The cache was recovered by explosive ordnance disposal personnel for disposal.

Coalition forces detain 26 suspects targeting al-Qaeda networks

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 26 suspects Wednesday during operations targeting terrorist networks in central and northern Iraq.

West of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and detained 16 suspects during operations targeting foreign terrorist financiers and al-Qaeda facilitating the movement of foreign terrorists into the region. The wanted individual is believed to be associated with senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership, including the alleged Saladin provincial leader.

During other operations along the Tigris River Valley, Coalition forces detained five suspects targeting foreign terrorist facilitators, propaganda operations and terrorists planning attacks against Iraqi Security forces.

South of Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and detained three suspects during operations targeting improvised explosive device engineers and terrorists operating in the Arab Jabour area.

“We remain vigilant and determined to eliminate the extremist enemies of Iraq,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “The increased willingness of the Iraqi people to share information with Iraqi and Coalition forces will end al-Qaeda’s campaign of terror and intimidation.”

Iraqi volunteers find 5 car bombs (Adhamiyah)

2nd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division PAO
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Five vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices were uncovered in the Al-Rhabi neighborhood of the Adhamiyah District Nov. 13 thanks to reports from Iraqi Security Volunteers.

Members of Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment and elements from the 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division blocked off the Al-Rhabi Gardens in northeast Baghdad to dismantle five car bombs found in a parking lot.

Once isolating positions were established by the U.S. and Iraqi platoons, an explosive ordnance disposal team began investigating several cars, discovering the presence of the explosively rigged vehicles.

Coalition EOD personnel conducted controlled detonations of the five vehicles, rendering the area safe. There were no casualties or collateral damage to the surrounding area.

The Adhamiyah fire department was on site and quickly extinguished the flames after the explosions.

“Today’s successful elimination of these weapons is a result of the ISV, ISF and U.S. working together to make Adhamiyah safer,” said Lt. Col. Jeffery Broadwater, commander of 3-7 Cavalry. “Because these brave people in the ISV decided to stand up against terrorists, we have been able to reduce their effectiveness.

The terrorists can no longer hide in the shadows to torment the good people of Adhamiyah.”

Following the mission, the Adhamiyah Security Volunteers continued to man their checkpoints.

The volunteers are men and women from this Sunni-dominated district who were trained by the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police to provide security for critical sites throughout their local neighborhoods.

The ISV operates a liaison cell at the Adhamiyah District Joint Security Station, which also houses elements from the Iraqi Police, the Iraqi Army and Soldiers of 3-7 Cavalry.

This cooperative effort has resulted in 14 weapons cache finds and the identification and eventual detainment of 12 suspected extremists by Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police detain 12, discover caches, car bomb factory
Multi-National Division – North

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Army and Police units involved in Operation Iron Hammer discovered caches containing more than 2,900 liters of nitric acid, a car bomb factory and more than 340 mortar and artillery rounds of various caliber in addition to large quantities of military equipment in the al Jazeera desert, Western Salah ad Din Province, Iraq, Nov. 10.

The caches, discovered by 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, also contained four DSHKA anti-aircraft machine guns with more than 13,000 rounds of ammunition, approximately 1,000 47mm anti-aircraft rounds, 32 anti-tank mines, detonation cord and small arms with ammunition. Iraqi Police detained 12 men for al-Qaeda related activities.

In addition to arms, the car bomb factory contained seven vehicles, welding equipment and auto parts to reinforce suspensions and heavy duty struts, which enable vehicles to carry increased loads. Two 36,000 gallon capacity fuel tankers used to transport black market fuel were also discovered.

Coalition forces detain 10 suspects during operations targeting al-Qaeda

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 10 suspects Thursday during operations targeting terrorist networks in central Iraq.

Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq members and those believed to be involved in the courier network. The ground force detained the wanted individual and one suspect without incident.

In other operations in central Iraq, Coalition forces detained eight suspects during operations targeting foreign terrorist and weapons facilitators, couriers and associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders familiar with the northern belt. A small weapons cache was found during one of the operations, and it was safely destroyed by the ground force to prevent further use by terrorists.

"Each successful operation leads us to another target, which in turn leads to another," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "With the help of the Iraqi citizens and their security forces, we are dismantling al-Qaeda in Iraq."

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda networks; six terrorists killed, 10 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 10 suspects today during operations targeting terrorist networks in central and northern Iraq.

During operations northeast of Samarra, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq's media and courier networks. Reports indicate the area was used as a propaganda house and is associated with a courier service for senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. As the ground force approached the target building, armed men inside engaged Coalition forces with heavy fire. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged, killing two terrorists.

During the operation, two of the armed men were seen leaving the first building and maneuvering into a second building. Coalition forces called for the building's occupants to come out, but no one complied. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged the armed men, killing four terrorists. As the ground force secured the buildings, they found three of the terrorists killed were wearing suicide vests, including one that had detonated. They also found a weapons cache, improvised explosive device making materials and a media cache. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to safely destroy the two buildings, which were assessed to be structurally unsafe.

Coalition forces also detained three suspects from two other locations during the operations in northeast Samarra. Supporting Coalition aircraft safely destroyed two known al-Qaeda in Iraq safe houses to prevent further use by terrorists.

In Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators, couriers and associates of senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained five other suspects without incident.

During operations southwest of Kirkuk, Coalition forces detained one suspect while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq. Reports indicate the targeted individual is believed to be planning terrorist attacks in the region and is associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in Mosul.

"We are continuing to take the fight to the enemy," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "Operations like these are diminishing al-Qaeda's ability to attack the Iraqi people."

Iron Hammer successful in pursuit of al-Qaeda in Iraq (Tikrit)

Multi-National Division – North PAO

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division – North Soldiers have made significant progress against al-Qaeda in four provinces in northern Iraq after two weeks of Operation Iron Hammer.

The operation to disrupt al-Qaeda involves three U.S. brigade combat teams and four Iraqi Army divisions.

During the operation, Coalition Forces and ISF have undermined al-Qaeda operations and discovered more than 50 caches across the Multi-National Division-North area of operations. The caches have contained more than 500 mortar and artillery rounds, three tons of homemade explosives, countless IED-making materials, hundreds of anti-tank and personnel mines and more than 100 machine guns.

Beyond the weapons found, CF and ISF discovered various documents and related information material.

CF and ISF have also detained hundreds of suspected al-Qaeda members.

ISF are reporting Iraqi citizens feel more confident and secure.

“Every day the streets of Mosul are becoming more vibrant with shop keepers, as we provide increased security for the Iraqi people,” said Brig. Gen. Moutaa Habeeb Jassim Jewab, commander of 2nd Iraqi Army Division, whose division was among those involved in the operation.

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda foreign terrorist and propaganda operations; 27 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 27 suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.

Coalition forces captured three wanted individuals during operations in Baghdad while targeting foreign terrorist and weapons facilitators. Reports indicate al-Qaeda in Iraq members were trying to establish a foreign terrorist network in the city. In addition to the wanted individuals, Coalition forces detained four suspects without incident.

In Bayji, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the city, who is also associated with foreign terrorists. Coalition forces detained one other suspect during the operation.

During continued operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators, Coalition forces detained seven suspects in Mosul without incident.

In a series of coordinated operations around Samarra and Baghdad, Coalition forces captured one wanted individual and detained 10 other suspects while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq's media network. During one of the operations, Coalition forces found two sets of homemade body armor vests and two sets of armor plates, which they safely destroyed to prevent further use by terrorists.

"Iraqi and Coalition operations are diminishing al-Qaeda's ability to attack the Iraqi people," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "More Iraqi citizens are coming forward and helping us find terrorist networks; foreign terrorists are not welcome in a free Iraq."

Tags:Iraq
MNF Iraq
Al Qaeda
War on Terror
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