Make the party go with a bang & news from Iraq.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) - Four Taliban rebels were killed when their ammunition exploded during a wedding party they attended as special guests in a southern Afghan village, police said Saturday.

Eight other Islamic rebels were injured in the blast in southern Kabul province late on Friday, provincial police chief Mohammad Yaqoub told AFP. It was not yet known what triggered the blast, he added.

"There was a wedding party and a group of Taliban was also attending as special guests. For some reason an explosion took place in the room they had gathered," Yaqoub said.

"In that blast four Taliban were killed and eight others were injured," the police commander said, citing information provided to his officers by the local villagers on Saturday. Police were investigating, he added.

**Now that was funny.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILL. — A commercial cargo ship carrying more than 100 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles for troops in Iraq set sail this week from Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C.

The vehicles, known as MRAPS, are designed to protect occupants against armor-piercing roadside bombs, knows as “explosively formed penetrators.” The shipment marks the largest shipment at one time to date of these life-saving vehicles to America's warfighers in Iraq and the expansion of MRAP transportation to include both airlift and sealift, a major milestone for the program, officials said.

Army Lt. Col. John Hanson, chief of the U.S. Transportation Command's MRAP end-to-end distribution team, was at the Port of Charleston to observe the ship's loading. "By adding sealift, we can effectively use concurrent strategic airlift and sealift to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and meet that command's priority requirements," he said.

TRANSCOM is responsible for planning and synchronizing shipment of the vehicles. The increase in both production of the vehicles and the number of vehicles through the Space and NavalWarfareSystems Center at Charleston have contributed to the need for the Defense Department to expand transportation, officials said.

Airlift has been responsible for moving the majority of MRAPs up to now. Hanson said the overall plan is to continue airlifting hundreds of the vehicles each month while increasing the number of MRAPs shipped by sea to ports in the U.S. Central Command area of operations.

In general, it takes 22 to 30 days for a ship to reach its destination in the CENTCOM area. Sealift is an efficient form of transportation, and a ship has the capacity to carry more than a month's worth of the vehicles brought in by air, TRANSCOM officials said. The command makes efficient use of all modes of strategic transportation to meet warfighters’ needs. Once the vehicles arrive in theater, CENTCOM theater distribution system will engage to move the vehicles to receiving units, TRANSCOM officials said.

In Charleston, the 841st Transportation Battalion of the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command managed port operations for loading the MRAPs aboard ship, officials said.

(Story by Cynthia Bauer, U.S. Transportation Command)

Coalition forces rescue kidnap victim; disrupt foreign terrorist facilitators, al-Qaeda financiers; one killed, 10 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 10 suspects during operations Saturday in central and northern Iraq.

Coalition forces captured a wanted individual southwest of Kirkuk during operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators. Reports indicate the wanted individual was involved with reorganizing al-Qaeda in Iraq in the Hawija region. During the operation, as Coalition forces approached the target building, they saw several armed men leave the building attempting to evade the ground force. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing one terrorist. Upon entering a nearby building, Coalition forces discovered a man being held in chains, and reports indicate he was being held hostage for $150,000. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained three suspects during the operation, two of whom were wounded. The wounded suspects received medical care on site before being detained.

During an operation in central Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a financier for al-Qaeda in Iraq operations. The wanted individual is allegedly associated with several senior terrorist leaders, including some involved in car-bombing attacks. During the operation, Coalition forces entered a mosque’s surrounding complex, but did not enter the mosque itself. Coalition forces respect Muslim religious sites, and they took great care to ensure the Mosque and surrounding complex were left as they were found. The wanted individual identified himself to Coalition forces and was subsequently detained, along with five other suspects.

“Foreign fighters’ mission is to derail progress in Iraq, and they have no place here,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “These wanted individuals will no longer be able to support al-Qaeda’s operations.”

Ten killed, eight detained as Coalition forces target al-Qaeda senior leaders

BAGHDAD – Ten terrorists were killed and eight suspects detained during Coalition forces operations Saturday north of Samarra.

During three coordinated operations early Saturday, Coalition forces targeted senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and associates, killing a wanted individual, believed to be associated with the Badush prison escape in March. Reports indicate that the wanted individual had previously been imprisoned for weapons smuggling.

As the ground force approached the target area, they were engaged by armed men who were then observed maneuvering into defensive positions near a reed line. Responding in self-defense, the ground force called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing eight terrorists, including the wanted individual. Seven suspects were detained as Coalition forces cleared the target area.

The ground force found a sniper rifle, machine guns and military-style vest from searching the area. All the weapons were safely destroyed on site to prevent further use by terrorists.

Saturday afternoon, Coalition forces detained one suspect during operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders. When the ground force arrived in the area, they observed three men inside of a vehicle and called for them to come out. One man complied and was subsequently detained. The other two remained inside the vehicle and detonated a suicide vest, causing the vehicle to explode, killing both men. Once the fire was out, the ground force secured the area and found a pistol and the detonated suicide vest.

“We’re keeping the pressure on al-Qaeda in Iraq, dismantling their leadership,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue targeting al-Qaeda, further diminishing their ability to conduct indiscriminate attacks.”

Ten detained as Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 10 suspects Monday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks along the Tigris River Valley in Iraq.

Coalition forces conducted several operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders, including foreign terrorist facilitators and planners of car-bombing attacks. During the operations, Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals and detained eight suspects on site.

During one of the operations, information gathered from local citizens indicated that a school was being used by al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists as a meeting location and safe house. Coalition forces briefly entered the school, but did not do any damage and left the school as it was found.

“The Iraqi people are working with us, helping us finding al-Qaeda to ensure a more secure future for their nation,” said Capt. Vic Beck, MNF-I spokesman.

Operation Varsity March leads to capture of suspect (Sayafiyah)

By Spc. Ben Hutto, 3rd HBCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

Multi-National Division – Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers from Company B, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, captured 13 suspected extremists during a nighttime air assault mission in Sayafiyah, Iraq, a small village outside of Salman Pak, Nov. 24.

One of the detainees was a high-value individual, who is a member of al-Qaeda in Iraq wanted for weapons smuggling and financing attacks on Coalition Forces in Salman Pak and Al Ja’ara.

“According to our intelligence, the insurgent we apprehended was an expert bomb maker and VBIED (vehicle borne improvised explosive device) maker,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Barwick, from Lanham, Md., fire support officer for Co. B. “By apprehending him, we have taken a very dangerous person off the streets and made the area safer.”

During the course of the operation Co. B Soldiers cleared eight houses and barns while searching for the suspects.

“The operation went perfectly,” said Spc. Lyle Johnson, from Comanche, Okla., an indirect fire specialist in Co. B. “We cleared all of our objectives and got the number one HVI and 12 of his partners. We did all of this without firing a shot, so I’d say it was a good operation.”

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

Hawr Rajab Concerned Local Citizens turn in explosives cache to new unit
Multi-National Division – Center

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – As a new unit transitions in, Hawr Rajab Concerned Local Citizens continue to provide Coalition Forces with a helping hand in providing security for their city.

The Concerned Local Citizens turned in a cache at Enduring Checkpoint 20 in Hawr Rajab Nov. 27 consisting of seven blasting caps, 13 pressure plates, two fire extinguishers and 28 two-liter bottles filled with homemade explosives.

An explosive ordnance disposal team safely destroyed the contents in a controlled detonation.

Earlier this month, Soldiers of the 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga., began replacing Paratroopers of the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th BCT (Airborne), 25th Inf. Div., Fort Richardson, Alaska, who are redeploying home after a 14-month combat tour.

Capt. Greg Curry, Troop A commander, 6-8th Cav. Regt., said he hopes to continue the positive relationships set by the 1-40th Cav. Regt. and build on their hard work.

Curry, a Walnut Creek, Ohio, native, said his Soldiers are committed to the Hawr Rajab people and will maintain a 24-hour presence in the city, and will continue to build security sites to prevent insurgents threatening the local population.

The same day in Hawr Rajab, seven Iraqis suspected of insurgent activities were detained during a 6-8th Cav. Regt. operation.

The detainees were brought back to FOB Falcon for questioning.

Coalition forces target foreign terrorist facilitators, assassins, senior al-Qaeda associates; 12 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 12 suspects during operations Thursday targeting al-Qaeda operations in central and northern Iraq.

Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations in Tarmiyah while targeting a foreign terrorist facilitator and associate of senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders. Coalition forces detained two other suspects during the operation without incident.

North of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual during operations targeting foreign terrorist facilitators and senior terrorist leader associates. The wanted individual is also believed to be an al-Qaeda leader in Samarra.

During operations in Hawija, Coalition forces detained four suspects while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq members responsible for assassination style murders. Coalition forces also targeted their associates in Mosul, detaining three suspects without incident.

In Bayji, Coalition forces detained one suspect while further targeting al-Qaeda terrorists involved in kidnappings, money extortion and sectarian-related murders.

"We're continuously attacking al-Qaeda in Iraq to bring down the networks responsible for conducting attacks against the Iraqi people," said Col. Donald Bacon, MNF-I spokesman.

An Nasiriyah SWAT operation targets extremist IED facilitators
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Police from the An Nasiriyah Special Weapons and Tactics unit targeted two known improvised explosive device facilitators during security operations Nov. 30 near An Nasiriyah.

In a continuing Iraqi effort to rid Dhi Qar of violent elements and improve security, An Nasiriyah SWAT conducted operations to disrupt several extremist networks operating near An Nasiriyah. These networks are responsible for multiple IED and explosively formed projectile attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces in the region.

One targeted individual is reported to be an extremist company commander and primary facilitator for an IED network in An Nasiriyah. The second targeted individual is reportedly a primary IED builder in the area. He is believed to be involved in at least eight IED and EFP attacks in the area stretching between April and November 2007.

VBIED discovered near office of COR member; more than 40 detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition forces discovered a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, or VBIED, near the office compound of Council of Representatives member Adnan al-Dulaimi yesterday while pursuing suspected criminals.

More than 40 suspected criminals have been detained as a result of this operation.

Iraqi and Coalition forces responded to a report of the murder of a Concerned Local Citizen member approximately one block from al-Dulaimi's office compound. Witnesses observed the murder.

Coalition forces found a car matching the description of one that left the murder scene parked in the street and two men apparently taking refuge in al-Dulaimi's office compound. Coalition and Iraqi forces questioned al-Dulaimi's security guards and detained eight of them.

Independent of the murder investigation, a separate vehicle was found on the street outside of al-Dulaimi's office compound, and it appeared to be wired as a suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, or SVBIED. One of the eight detained security guards had in his possession the keys to the SVBIED.

An additional five suspects were detained at a checkpoint near the office compound.

During the transfer of detainees, one suspect escaped. Iraqi Security Forces fired at the fleeing man, wounding two civilians, who were transported to a local hospital.

Coalition forces destroyed the VBIED with a controlled detonation, but a secondary explosion wounded five Coalition force soldiers and one Iraqi civilian, who was evacuated to a medical treatment facility. The Coalition force soldiers sustained only minor injuries and were returned to duty.

Iraqi security forces went to the residence of al-Dulaimi, approximately a half kilometer from his office compound, where they found him at home, detained 30-40 additional security and staff, and asked al-Dulaimi to remain in his residence for his own personal safety. Iraqi Security Forces posted guards outside his home and placed a curfew in the area.

The incidents are currently under investigation.

Tags:Iraq
MNF Iraq
Al Qaeda
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