Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49059
Troops in Iraq Kill Four, Capture Dozens, Seize Weapons
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces killed four suspected terrorists, detained 56 others and destroyed weapons in Iraq over the past three days, military officials said.
During operations in Iraq today:
— Coalition forces nabbed nine suspected terrorists during operations in Tikrit and east of Hamim al Alil targeting suspects involved in foreign-terrorist smuggling for the al Qadea in Iraq network in Mosul.
— Troops detained four wanted suspects in an area in Mosul believed to be a safe haven for foreign terrorists involved in recent attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces. The location also reportedly is connected to a suspect detained Feb. 19 for his association with a senior-level terrorist smuggler in the city, military officials said.
— Coalition troops captured an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq member involved in planning suicide attacks in Baghdad. The suspect reportedly had arranged to receive a suicide vest in order to attack a group of concerned-local-citizen recruits. Ground forces detained an additional terrorist suspect in the operation.
— Troops nabbed one suspected terrorist east of Khan Bani Sad at an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq meeting location associated with the suicide network in the Diyala River Valley. Nearby, coalition forces directed a fixed-wing airstrike on a house assessed to be rigged with explosives, military officials said.
— Coalition forces south of Samarra captured an alleged associate of an al Qaeda in Iraq network operating in Anbar province. Reports indicate the suspect is connected to a terrorist leader associated with links to senior terrorists operating both inside and outside Iraq and who is involved in al Qaeda media and propaganda operations.
In operations around Iraq yesterday:
— Coalition troops killed a suspected terrorist east of Samarra in Karwi who was later identified as an al Qaeda in Iraq associate of the Baqouba suicide-bombing network, military officials said. Coalition aircraft killed two additional suspected terrorists, and ground forces detained seven others and seized bomb-making materials in the operation.
— Troops killed a wanted terrorist and captured another during an afternoon raid in Baghdad. Both wanted individuals were reportedly close associates of the senior al Qaeda in Iraq leader of networks operating in the Iraqi capital, military officials said. In a separate raid in Baghdad, coalition forces detained two alleged car-bomb-network operatives.
— Coalition forces seized five suspected terrorists in Mosul during an operation targeting an associate of a senior-level foreign-terrorist smuggler and al Qaeda in Iraq leader in the region, military officials said.
— Troops northwest of Tarmiyah nabbed a wanted individual believed to be involved in the Karkh al Qaeda in Iraq network and detained two additional suspects. Reports indicate the prime target had been inactive for several months but recently resumed a role in rebuilding the network following a series of recent coalition operations that degraded the cell.
— Coalition forces detained two suspects in Tikrit, including an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq associate involved in weapons smuggling. The suspect allegedly transferred weapons recently from Beiji to Tikrit. Reports also indicate the suspect is connected to foreign terrorist safe houses and a large weapons cache found in a previous operation in the area.
— Coalition troops detained four suspected terrorists northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin mountains during a multiday operation that took place yesterday and Feb. 22.
In other Feb. 22 operations:
— Troops west of Samarra captured an alleged al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader involved in the Jazirah network. The suspect allegedly commands a group of 10 to 15 terrorists who conduct attacks in the area. Ground forces detained six others in the operation.
— Troops in Mosul captured an alleged associate of foreign al Qaeda in Iraq leaders believed to be responsible for recent attacks against coalition and Iraqi security forces in the area. Ground forces nabbed two additional suspects in the raid and discovered a weapons cache containing 20 mortar rounds, military officials said.
— Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists on the west side of Mosul, including an alleged associate of numerous foreign al Qaeda in Iraq leaders in Samarra. Reports indicate the suspect moved to Mosul from Samarra after coalition and Iraqi forces operations disrupted Samarra’s al Qaeda in Iraq leadership, military officials said.
— Coalition forces captured a suspected Iranian-trained “special groups” militia operative and detained one other suspect during operations to disrupt criminal networks in Baghdad. As an intelligence operative, the targeted individual reportedly aided special groups attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces, military officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq new releases.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49060
Forces Kill Insurgents, Destroy Enemy Infrastructure, Weapons in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2008 – Afghan and coalition forces have killed enemy combatants and destroyed insurgents’ infrastructure and weapons in Afghanistan in recent days, military officials said.
Coalition troops searched compounds in the Kajaki district of Helmand province yesterday for a Taliban leader responsible for conducting antigovernment operations in the area, military officials said.
During the two operations, coalition forces were attacked by insurgents using small arms and hand grenades. Troops retaliated, killing an unspecified number of enemy combatants.
“While coalition forces conducted a search of the building during one operation, armed assailants who were barricaded in separate rooms engaged coalition forces with small-arms fire and hand grenades,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a coalition forces spokesman.
“The assailants were killed when coalition forces responded in self-defense,” Belcher said. “A search of the site after the exchange revealed a dead female and child in one of the rooms the assailants used to engage coalition forces.”
The spokesman expressed condolences to the family and friends of the slain woman and child. “It is a deplorable, yet common, tactic of insurgents to place innocent women and children in harm’s way,” he added.
In the pair of operations, troops detained two individuals suspected to have ties to Taliban insurgents, and seized AK 47 assault rifles and ammunition. The suspects are being held for questioning, officials said.
Earlier in Helmand province, Afghan and coalition forces conducted operations Feb. 20-22 in the Karez deh Baba and Kajaki districts which lay along a supply line used by insurgents to smuggle weapons and drugs. Military officials said enemy combatants also were using the areas to launch attacks on surrounding cities.
In the first two days of the operation, Afghan national security forces raided target areas to disrupt the insurgents’ ability to engage friendly forces with small-arms, rocket and indirect fire from prepared fighting positions. At the same time, friendly forces used precise air strikes on enemy targets.
“Throughout the day, insurgents kept trying to fight the (Afghan national security forces). The result was always the same,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman. “(The insurgents were) defeated.”
Meanwhile, Afghan forces spoke with local citizens to ensure they understood that the mission’s purpose was to restore security and improve local infrastructure. “We have been impressed by the efforts in Musa Qaleh and want the same for our village,” a local Afghan was quoted as saying.
Other villagers echoed this sentiment, saying they welcome the security and stability that leaders of the national security forces and government can provide. Villagers also provided crucial information about insurgent practices and the locations of insurgent safe houses, military officials said.
On Feb. 21, Afghan-led forces deployed in smaller units when they observed insurgents moving into fighting positions to engage them. Afghan forces rooted out the insurgents and cleared the position, finding an improvised explosive device and a small-arms cache.
The enemy reinforced different fighting positions and engaged with indirect fire when the Afghan-led force renewed their assault. Troops found another small-arms and ammunition cache, and coalition forces found roughly 400 pounds of ammonium nitrate. All of the seized materials were later destroyed.
“This was an enormous find because this substance is a common explosive additive that could be used in IEDs,” Bowman said. “The (Afghan national security forces) prevented future attacks and saved innocent civilians with this discovery.”
In the course of operations, the Afghan-led force discovered the insurgents’ command center and a 100-foot deep interconnected tunnel system. The command center contained a series of caves, and the tunnel was littered with spare ammunition and shell casings, military officials said. Afghan troops suppressed enemy forces in the immediate area before destroying the cave and tunnel system with precision-guided munitions.
“In the last three days, the government of (the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) and (Afghan national security forces) saved numerous lives by capturing bomb-making materials,” Bowman said. “(Afghan-led) forces have maintained pressure on the Taliban to prevent them from accomplishing their goals of terrorizing and intimidating the Afghan populace.”