Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51053
Coalition Captures Senior Terrorism Suspects in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2008 – Coalition troops captured more than a dozen suspected terrorists in Iraq today and yesterday, including at least three high-level al-Qaida in Iraq leaders, military officials said.
Of 14 people detained today, one is believed to a senior advisor of al-Qaida in Iraq operations in northern Mosul. Intelligence reports indicate he oversees all attacks there and provides advice for targeting, officials said.
Another wanted man detained today allegedly is involved in coordinating finances for al-Qaida in Iraq in Mosul, and is believed to take part in extortion schemes and kidnappings to raise money for terrorist operations. A third man detained is suspected of conspiring with senior leaders of the same terrorist group in Mosul.
Also today, coalition forces detained two men during an operation against leaders of a bomb network in Mosul. A 48-hour security sweep of Salamiyah, just south of Mosul, netted six suspected terrorists.
The coalition also targeted a bomb network that operates south of Mosul in the Tigris River Valley. Troops captured a suspect yesterday who told them where to find a wanted man from the network who is believed to be a liaison for senior al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists.
Intelligence reports indicate the wanted man was procuring bomb-making materials to distribute to cells in the area, officials said. Coalition forces found him today, hiding in a sheep pen, and called for him to surrender. Despite several warnings, including warning shots, the terrorist refused to comply. Coalition forces perceived a hostile threat and engaged the man, killing him, officials said.
In Baghdad today, coalition forces thwarted an attempt to re-establish al-Qaida in Iraq’s propaganda network after recent operations diminished its capability. Three suspected terrorists were detained, including a wanted man who allegedly has ties to terrorist operatives around the country.
South of Baghdad, coalition forces detained five suspected terrorists today while targeting an al-Qaida in Iraq network that brings foreigners and money into the country to support attacks against Iraqi civilians.
Troops brought six suspected terrorists into coalition custody today after operations in the Hamrin Mountains region targeted an al-Qaida in Iraq cell leader in Sadiyah, northeast of Baghdad.
In Beiji yesterday, coalition troops detained the suspected leader of a terrorist cell at the Beiji Oil Refinery. He is suspected of manufacturing improvised explosive devices, bribery, weapons trafficking and oil extortion. He is the third suspect arrested in connection with the Beiji ring in a week. The first member turned himself in to Iraqi police on Aug. 31. The second was detained by coalition forces on Sept. 3.
Also this week, Iraqi soldiers and national police seized numerous weapons caches in and around Baghdad, including 256 pounds of explosives, three mortar rounds, an 82 mm mortar round, a 60 mm high-explosive mortar round, .50-caliber machine guns, a rocket-propelled grenade, four tripods, 30 12.7 mm rounds, three spare barrels, a 2.75-inch rocket tube with explosives and an 180 mm projectile.
A Multinational Division Baghdad explosives ordnance disposal unit destroyed the weapons and munitions in a controlled detonation. The caches were found based on tips from local residents, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51057
Coalition Forces Kill, Capture Insurgents in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan forces killed more than two dozen insurgents while disrupting terrorist cells along the southeastern and southwestern borders of Afghanistan during operations over the past days, military officials reported.
Coalition and Afghan forces killed six militants today after being ambushed while conducting a reconnaissance patrol in the Farrah province in southwest Afghanistan, coalition officials said.
The insurgents ambushed the patrol from an isolated compound with intense and accurate small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, officials said. Coalition forces responded with ground fire and close air support, killing six militants, they said.
Although no Afghan or coalition casualties were reported, two civilians were killed in the attack and two were wounded, coalition officials said. The victims were immediately treated and medically evacuated to a nearby coalition medical facility, they said.
In addition to the weapons carried by the ambushing force, a weapons cache containing a rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun, AK-47 rifles and an assortment of ammunition was discovered at the site.
Also today, coalition forces killed several militants and detained five during an operation to disrupt an explosives network in Paktika province, along the Pakistan border, coalition officials said.
Coalition forces were searching a compound in the Bermel district targeting a militant known to coordinate and direct roadside bomb attacks against coalition Forces. The targeted militant is also known to be associated with Taliban commanders, both locally and abroad, who bring foreign fighters into Afghanistan, officials said. Several civilians, as well as military members, recently have been injured by these roadside bombs, they said.
As Coalition forces searched the compound, they received small-arms fire from militants inside the building. The force returned fire, killing several insurgents, they said.
A similar incident also happened today in Kapisa province, north of Kabul, when coalition forces came under fire while searching a compound in the Tag Ab district targeting a Taliban commander responsible for smuggling in foreign fighters, as well as conducting bomb attacks against coalition forces.
During the operation, militants fired on coalition forces, who responded with small-arms fire, killing several militants and detaining two.
Multiple AK-47s, hand grenades, bomb-making materials and stock piles of ammunition, to include armor- piercing rounds were discovered at the site and destroyed.
Four militants also were detained after coalition forces searched a militant compound in the eastern border province of Khowst.
Today’s fighting comes three days after Afghan and coalition forces killed 20 militants while conducting operations in Naw Bahar in the southwest province of Zabul.
The troops were conducting a combat security patrol when they were attacked by militants with small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. The troops responded with small-arms, heavy-weapons and close air support, killing 20 militants. No coalition forces or civilian casualties were reported.
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(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases).