Good news from Afghanistan.

Nice to see that many a Taliban fighter has been sent off to get his 72 virgin goats.

BRITISH commandos launched a devastating blitz on the Taliban – as the evil terrorists held a party to celebrate Benazir Bhutto’s murder.

The dawn raid was staged after messages were intercepted about the sick knees-up in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Royal Marines crept into position as the fanatics partied the night away just hours after Ms Bhutto was killed in Pakistan.

The bash was being held in ruined compounds a few hundred yards from Our Boys’ remote base in Kajaki.

Ragtag Taliban sentries tried to hit back with machine gun fire – but stood no chance against the heroes of 40 Commando’s Charlie Company.

The terrorists were pounded with mortars, rockets and heavy machine guns.

Two bloodthirsty revellers trying to creep towards Our Boys in a trench were spotted by thermal-imaging equipment – and targeted with a Javelin heat-seeking missile.

The £65,000 rocket – designed to stop Soviet tanks – locked on to their body heat and tore more than a kilometer across the desert in seconds.

Troop Sergeant Dominic Conway, 32 – who directed mortar rounds – grinned: “It must have had quite a detrimental effect on their morale.”

Sgt Conway, from Whitley Bay, Tyneside, said of the Taliban lair: “It used to be their backyard and now we’ve made it ours.”

**One in the eye for the Taliban and also one in the eye for certain worthless cunts in the House of Commons who keep referring to Afghanistan as our Vietnam. Yes Mr Paul Flynn, I am referring to you.

Does anyone else think it strange that its the Labour party who start the war and yet it is also the Labour party who offer moral support to the Taliban and headchopping clerics? It is also the same party who cut the amount given to the armed forces and leap on any accusation leveled against them, calling them baby killers and the like.

Not a member of that party that is fit even for polishing the boots of our troops.

Oh an some good news from Iraq:

RUSTAMIYAH — The Iraqi Military Academy at Rustamiyah graduated 229 newly commissioned officers for the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Air Force, Dec. 29.

This class is the second group to attend the one year instruction, which is broken into three blocks: junior, intermediate and senior. Each block lasts approximately 15 weeks. The first block introduces the cadets to basic officer training and teaches them to work as a team. The next 15 weeks are spent learning academics and history. The final 15 week block of instruction is based around exercises and exams.

“I’m very proud of all of them,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Ryan Vetter, an instructor at the academy and a member of the Coalition Air Force Transition Team. “They came in very excited and energized with actually being given the opportunity to learn.”

Out of the 229 graduates, 44 have been selected as pilot candidates and are slotted to go into the Iraqi Air Force. These pilot candidates will return to the academy for English language training before being sent to Kirkuk Air Base for flight school.

(Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq Public Affairs)

Iraqi Security Volunteers, Iraqi Police, Coalition Forces team up to arrest thieves

4th IBCT PAO
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – After the quick reaction of an Iraqi Security Volunteer, Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops arrested 11 men suspected of trying to break into a house in the Doura neighborhood of Baghdad Dec. 21.

The 11 men were caught allegedly trying to break into a house near an Iraqi Security Volunteer’s home, when the ISV confronted them. After threatening him, the suspects tried to flee through an Iraqi National Police checkpoint but were stopped.

Soldiers of Apache Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., responded to the call and detained the 11 men on suspicion of trying to break into a house.

The suspects were taken to a Coalition Detention Facility for further questioning.

Coalition forces target terrorist facilitators, suicide bombers; 13 killed, 27 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 13 terrorists and detained 27 suspects Monday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.

During a series of operations south of Samarra Monday and today, Coalition forces targeted an alleged senior level foreign terrorist facilitator for al-Qaeda in Iraq. The targeted individual is also believed to be responsible for the facilitation of weapons and finances and involved in suicide-bombing operations, some of which include female operatives.

Acting on intelligence reports, Coalition forces targeted a location where the individual was believed to be operating and called supporting aircraft to engage. Four individuals emerged from the target area and attempted to evade capture. As Coalition forces approached one of the individuals, the suspect detonated a suicide vest, killing himself. The ground force then located two of the suspects hiding in a wooded area. Coalition forces engaged and killed the two men. Another individual, who was wounded in the initial engagement, was also found hiding in the wooded area and was subsequently detained. The suspect was treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care.

As the ground force secured the target area, they discovered several weapons, which were safely destroyed on site, along with a vehicle used for terrorist activity. During the series of operations in the area, Coalition forces also detained 15 other suspected terrorists.

Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces targeted associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader allegedly responsible for coordinating and directing numerous terrorist attacks in the region. Intelligence reports indicate the individuals had executed a man earlier in the day and were later observed in the target area.

During the operation this morning, Coalition forces were engaged on two separate occasions by armed men as they attempted to clear target buildings in the area. The men charged at the Coalition forces’ position, and the ground force engaged the enemy, killing four terrorists. As the ground force continued to clear the area, they were engaged by machine gun fire and grenades from underneath one of the structures. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire and called for supporting aircraft to engage. Once enemy fire ceased, the ground force assessed that five terrorists were killed during the engagement. Coalition forces also detained one suspect during the operation.

In Baghdad Monday, Coalition forces targeted an alleged al-Qaeda member involved in bomb-making operations within the south Karkh car-bombing network. As the ground force arrived in the area, they observed six men maneuvering away from the target building. Coalition forces followed the men and detained four of the suspects. The two other individuals were subsequently engaged. One of them was killed, while the remaining suspect was wounded, detained and transported to a medical facility for treatment.

Five suspected terrorists were detained south of Hawija today, during operations targeting an al-Qaeda leader for the network operating in Kirkuk.

"We continue to disrupt al-Qaeda networks that are conducting attacks against the Iraqi people and the security forces that protect them," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "Operations like these show that, while al-Qaeda remains a threat, Iraqi and Coalition forces will take the fight to the terrorists, diminishing their ability to attack innocent civilians."

Concerned Local Citizens find IED, cache in Arab Jabour

2nd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO
Multi-National Division – Center PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Concerned Local Citizens found an improvised explosive device formed from rigged land mines and ammunition near Patrol Base Murray in Arab Jabour Dec. 23.
A 155 mm artillery round, an 82 mm mortar and two land mines were found rigged with detonation cord near the base. The CLCs turned over the IED, along with other weapons cache items found at the same site, to Soldiers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
The weapons caches consisted of 23 shape charges, three rocket propelled grenades, two 57 mm projectiles, four 73 mm propellant charges, 20 pounds of TNT, eight projectile fuses, one RPG warhead, six boxes of DSHKA high-caliber machine gun rounds, one fragmentation grenade, six 4.5-pound blocks of TNT, five pounds of unknown bulk explosive, two pounds of PE4, and 14 120 mm mortar propellant charges.
The explosives were destroyed in a controlled detonation.

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda networks in Diyala; 12 killed, 37 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 12 terrorists, detained 37 suspects and freed one hostage during a multi-day operation Dec. 22 to 25 to disrupt al-Qaeda networks near Muqdadiyah in the Diyala River Valley.

Coalition forces returned to an area where recent operations indicated an al-Qaeda in Iraq network was operating. A recent operation resulted in the discovery of nine weapons caches, mass graves and a torture complex (see MNC-I release 20071220-03, “MND-N Soldiers find atrocity site, torture complex and weapons caches,” dated Dec. 20, 2007). During the four-day operation, Coalition forces were involved in multiple engagements with groups of armed men, resulting in 12 terrorists killed and 37 suspects detained.

On Sunday, a local citizen led the ground force to what they assessed to be a terrorist medical facility, complete with surgical equipment, numerous medical supplies and medication. Also in the compound, Coalition forces discovered ammunition, maps of the area, and a set of instructions on making improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

During operations Monday, Coalition forces discovered an al-Qaeda suicide-bomb making facility with numerous bomb-making materials inside. As the ground force cleared the building, they found a man held captive in a locked room, who appeared to have been beaten. The individual told Coalition forces he was kidnapped a few days prior, beaten, handcuffed and blindfolded. The man was treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care. Once able, the individual will be turned over to Iraqi officials for repatriation.

Over the course of the multi-day operation, Coalition forces discovered several hide sites where terrorists allegedly conducted attacks. One of the sites was assessed to be a firing point for IED attacks. At that location, the ground force discovered a structure with various wires leading from a lookout hole to a nearby road intersection.

While clearing areas Monday and Tuesday, the ground force discovered two buildings assessed to be rigged with explosives. Coalition forces safely destroyed the buildings to prevent any injury to Iraqis in the area or damage to their property. Secondary explosions erupted from both buildings, indicating explosives were likely inside. Five additional buildings and a water tower used as a terrorist sniper position were destroyed during the operation to prevent future use for terrorist activities.

Coalition forces also located and destroyed eight weapons caches, which included machines guns, a sniper rifle, pistols, rocket propelled grenade rounds and propellant, ammunition, grenades, detonation cord and several bags of homemade explosives.

“Al Qaeda has become synonymous with assassinations, torture, car bombings and executions,” said Colonel Don Bacon, MNF-I spokesman. “Iraqi citizens are rejecting the radical ideology and barbaric behavior that is foreign to their nation.”

Coalition forces target al-Qaeda assassination and facilitation networks, 19 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 19 suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation in Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be responsible for a group of terrorists who conduct assassination operations in the city, to include attacks against Iraqi security forces. Intelligence indicates the wanted individual is responsible for reporting on the locations of Coalition and Iraqi forces for use in planning attacks. He is also allegedly involved in extortion, execution and counterintelligence operations. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained six suspected terrorists on site.

Northeast of Samarra, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader involved in terrorist media and propaganda operations. The targeted individual is also believed to be tied to foreign terrorist and weapons facilitation networks operating in and outside of Iraq. During the operation, the ground force detained seven suspected terrorists and destroyed a vehicle that was being used for terrorist activity.

During other operations in Samarra and Baghdad, Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists while targeting associates involved in the facilitation of weapons, finances and foreign terrorists.

“We remain steadfast in our effort to dismantle al-Qaeda’s terrorist networks,” said Capt. Vic Beck, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue to hunt down al-Qaeda. They will find no safe haven in Iraq.”

Coalition forces disrupt Al Kut criminal element networks, 11 terrorists killed

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed an estimated 11 terrorists during operations targeting Special Groups criminal networks early today in Al Kut.

Coalition forces were targeting a Special Groups criminal element member reportedly responsible for attacks against Coalition forces and supporters of Coalition forces. The individual was also reportedly an associate of criminal element leaders involved in attacks on Coalition forces.

When Coalition forces approached the target area they were engaged by terrorists with direct enemy fire from assault rifles and rocket propelled grenades. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire, and called for supporting aircraft to engage. The ground force assessed that approximately 11 terrorists were killed during the engagement. No suspects were captured or detained during the operation.

“We commend all those who honor al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr’s ceasefire pledge,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Significant progress has been made in the fight for a secure and stable Iraq, but dangerous criminal elements still exist.”

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations; five killed, 14 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained 14 suspects today during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation north of Muqdadiyah, Coalition forces targeted associates of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the northeast region of the Diyala River Valley. Reports indicate the individuals are associated with the group of terrorists involved in numerous engagements with Coalition forces during recent operations in the region.

When the ground force arrived in the target area, the occupants were requested to come out of the building. Four armed men fled the building and maneuvered into nearby palm groves. Supporting aircraft was called to engage the armed men, killing four terrorists. Once Coalition forces cleared the area, they found that each of the men had been armed with a machine gun, military style assault vest and multiple grenades. One building and all of the weapons, to include several others found in one of the target buildings, were safely destroyed on site to prevent further use by terrorists. Six additional suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.

Near Salman Pak, Coalition forces targeted an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader involved in weapons facilitation and attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces in the Arab Jabour region. As the ground force began to clear the area, they observed an individual maneuvering away from the target building and into a nearby reed bed, attempting to evade capture. Coalition forces followed the man to another target area, and as forces entered the building, the suspect made a sudden move toward something. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged the man, killing him. As Coalition forces cleared the room, a weapon was located, and one suspect was detained.

During coordinated operations near Samarra and Baghdad, Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists while targeting alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders involved in foreign terrorist facilitation and attacks against Coalition forces.

“These operations are examples of our continued success against al-Qaeda,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Iraqi and Coalition forces are disrupting their operations and diminishing their pool of manpower, but they still pose a threat to innocent Iraqis.”

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations; three killed, 34 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 34 suspects Saturday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation north of Tikrit, Coalition forces targeted an associate of the al-Qaeda network operating in the Kirkuk province. The targeted individual is assessed to be involved in the facilitation of finances and materials for terrorist operations. When Coalition forces arrived in the target area, they called for the occupants to come out of the building. The ground force was then engaged by heavy enemy fire, and supporting aircraft was called to suppress the threat. Once the enemy fire ceased, the ground force assessed three terrorists were killed during the engagement. As the ground force cleared the area, they found a suicide belt, suicide vest and numerous weapons on site. All of the items were safely destroyed, along with a target building, to prevent further use by terrorists.

North of Tikrit, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a member of the al-Qaeda network operating in the area. The wanted individual is also allegedly associated with the terrorist network in Samarra, including foreign terrorist facilitation operations throughout the Tigris River Valley. Reports indicate the individual also has ties to individuals targeted during an operation Nov. 12, when Coalition forces killed Abu Tiba, the leader of the terrorist network in Samarra. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists during the operation. The ground force detained an additional suspect during an operation south of the city targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader believed to be involved in suicide attacks against Coalition forces.

During an operation west of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a close associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader of the network operating north of Baghdad. The network is responsible for the majority of car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks in the area, as well as being involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained 21 suspected terrorists during the series of operations. Coalition forces also destroyed one building in the target area that was assessed to be used as a safe house for terrorist operations.

Coalition forces also detained five suspected terrorists during an operation in Mosul while targeting an associate of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the city. In the past few weeks, Coalition forces have detained three wanted individuals and more than 26 suspected terrorists associated with the network in Mosul, to include a suspect detained Dec. 13 believed to be a key associate of the al-Qaeda leader for northern Iraq.

“Terrorists have no safe haven in Iraq,” said Cmdr. Ed Buclatin, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue our operations to hunt down al-Qaeda in Iraq’s leaders and operatives and to foil their attempts to destabilize the country.”

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations; six killed, 14 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 14 suspects Saturday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation north of Muqdadiyah Saturday, Coalition forces targeted associates of the al-Qaeda network operating in the northeast Diyala River Valley region. Reports indicate the individuals are associated with the group that has been involved in numerous firefights with Coalition forces over the past few weeks. The presence of the wanted individuals was confirmed in the target area and supporting aircraft engaged the time-sensitive target, killing one terrorist.

Coalition forces then continued their approach and were engaged by enemy fire. The ground force returned fire, killing three terrorists. While clearing the area, the ground force discovered numerous weapons, including several machine guns, military style assault vests and magazines, improvised explosive devices, and a rocket propelled grenade launcher and rounds. In addition to the weapons, Coalition forces safely destroyed a vehicle used for terrorist activity.

Coalition forces returned to the Muqdadiyah area today and targeted alleged associates of individuals killed in Saturday’s operation. As the ground force approached the target area they were engaged by enemy fire and returned fire in self-defense. They then observed two armed men emerge from the target building and maneuver in separate directions. The ground force engaged one of the men, killing him. The other individual moved to a nearby palm grove and supporting aircraft engaged his position. As the ground force approached the position, the suspect engaged them. The ground force returned fire, killing him.

Once the enemy fire ceased, Coalition forces began to clear the site and found two weapons caches, including 10 rifles, eight grenades, four military-style assault vests with 20 loaded magazines, 1,000 rounds of ammunition and rocket propellant. One of the armed men was wearing a suicide vest. On site, the ground force safely destroyed the weapons caches and a vehicle allegedly used for terrorist activity. Seven suspected terrorists were also detained during the operation.

Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces also detained six suspected terrorists during an operation today targeting associates of the al-Qaeda network in Mosul.

During an operation Saturday, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual west of Mahmudiyah. He is believed to be a leader in the city’s al-Qaeda network and is allegedly responsible for establishing a training center for female suicide bombers in Yusufiyah. He is also reportedly responsible for coordinating attacks against Coalition forces and facilitating the necessary weapons and explosives for the attacks. During an operation Dec. 1, Coalition forces killed one of the wanted individual’s alleged subordinates for his role in supplying vehicles and materials for the car-bombing network in Baghdad (see MNF-I press release A071201b, “Coalition forces target car-bombers, assassins, kidnappers; one killed, 16 detained,” dated Dec. 1, 2007).

“Iraqi and Coalition forces are focused on clearing and holding areas where terrorists think they can hide,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Together we are disrupting terrorist operations and working to improve safety and security for Iraqi citizens.”

Coalition forces capture Special Groups leader; disrupt criminal element network

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces captured a suspected Special Groups leader during operations to disrupt criminal element networks today in the Al-Husayniyah area.

The targeted individual was reportedly the Special Groups recruiter for the Karbala Province. He allegedly helped facilitate the training of numerous criminals in activities including explosively formed penetrators, improvised explosive devices, operational security and computer security training. He is assessed as an associate of several other senior-level criminal element leaders who were involved in attacks on Coalition forces.

When Coalition forces approached the target area, an unidentified man exited a building and displayed hostile intent. The unidentified man ignored verbal and visual warnings to cease movement. Responding in self defense, ground forces engaged the unidentified man, wounding him. The Coalition forces medical team administered on-site treatment to the individual. Ground forces continued on to the target area and captured the targeted individual without further incident. During the operation, Coalition forces also discovered a large amount of American currency.

“Coalition and Iraqi security forces are disrupting and dismantling the networks that threaten the ability to provide safety and security for the Iraqi people,” said Navy Capt. Vic Beck, MNF-I spokesperson. “The actions by criminal elements that continue to dishonor the ceasefire pledge of al-Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr will not be tolerated.”

**I wonder why the al-Quada mouth piece, the BBC fails to report any of these?

Tags:Iraq
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