Thread: Operation Iraqi Freedom/Multi-National Force

Iraq Army and Coalition Forces detain two al-Qaeda Iraq leaders in Baghdad


Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070718-11
July 18, 2007

Iraq Army and Coalition Forces detain two al-Qaeda Iraq leaders in Baghdad
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Members of the 1/6th Iraqi Army Scout Platoon, with Coalition Forces advisors, detained two suspected al-Qaeda leaders July 16 during an intelligence driven operation in western Baghdad.

The operation was conducted simultaneously at three separate locations. At one location, Iraqi Forces subdued a suspect who attempted to engage the team with a screwdriver. Thirteen other suspicious individuals who were present during the operation were also detained.

The primary suspect is believed to command three cells under the al-Qaeda Iraq banner. He allegedly distributed money, weapons, and equipment among his subordinates.

The second suspect is alleged to lead at least two of those cells. He allegedly constructs vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, conducts cells meetings at his home and creates terrorist video propaganda materials.

The targeted individuals are suspected of using foreign fighters to facilitate attacks against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, using direct fire and improvised explosive devices. They are also accused of kidnapping and extorting local Iraqi civilians who disrupt al-Qaeda Iraq efforts in the area.

No Iraqi or Coalition Forces members were injured during the operation.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Iraq Army and Coalition Forces detain two al-Qaeda Iraq leaders in Baghdad

Coalition Forces take offensive into eastern Baqouba

Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070718-09
July 18, 2007

Coalition Forces take offensive into eastern Baqouba
Multi-National Division – North PAO

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces expanded their efforts to secure Baqouba by surrounding one eastern portion of the city and beginning a deliberate, house-to-house search there for al-Qaida operatives July 17.

Elements of the 5th Iraqi Army Division, along with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, and 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion, are searching the neighborhood known as “Old Baqouba,” during this next phase of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, which began June 19.

“Today, the Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Arrowhead began the liberation of eastern Baqouba,” said Col. Steve Townsend, commander of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. “We will drive al-Qaida out and bring security to the people and streets of Old Baqouba.”

In addition to combat operations, wide scale efforts to restore services and provide necessary goods to the people in Diyala have been underway in conjunction with Operation Arrowhead Ripper.

The Iraqi government, with Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces support, coordinated the delivery of 48 trucks of fuel to Khanaqin, Diyala province July 15 as part of efforts to bring necessary provisions to the people there.

The arrival of the trucks was the first step of larger plans to distribute the fuel throughout the province.

The delivery, executed by civilian contractors, comprised 21 trucks of benzene, 18 trucks of diesel and nine trucks of kerosene.

Arrowhead Ripper began when Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces closed off the western half of Baqouba to begin a systematic search for al-Qaida operatives there last month. Baqouba is located in the Diyala province about 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.

Since the beginning of operation Arrowhead Ripper, Iraqi and Coalition Forces have killed at least 63 anti-Iraqi forces, detained about 240 individuals suspected of having ties to terrorist groups, and disabled more than 146 improvised explosive devices, along with 24 booby-trapped structures. About 10,000 U.S. and Iraqi military personnel have taken part in the operation.

The Diyala provincial government has delivered more than 340 tons of flour and rice, and provided other essential services such as medical care to the residents of western Baqouba.
“In early June, residents of western Baqouba were afraid to leave their homes and walk down their own streets,” said Townsend. “People are now walking the streets and visiting the re-opened markets—children are playing outside. This same security will return to eastern Baqouba, as well.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Coalition Forces take offensive into eastern Baqouba

Senior al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist identified

Thursday, 19 July 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Multi-National Force - Iraq
703.343.8790

July 19, 2007
Release A070719c

Senior al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist identified

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces positively identified a third foreign terrorist killed in an operation June 23 south of Hawija.

Ahmed Sancar, also known as Khattab al-Turki, was a known terrorist and senior leader in al-Qaeda and a key financier and facilitator for the terrorist group.

Sancar was killed during the same operation that killed Mehmet Yilmaz, also known as Khalid al-Turki, and Mehmet Resit Isik, also known as Khalil al-Turki. Yilmaz was a close associate of Khalid Shayikh Muhammad, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Yilmaz also led a group of Turks to Afghanistan in 2001 to fight against Coalition Forces.

Intelligence reports indicate that Sancar, like Isik, performed key communication and logistic roles for al-Qaeda in Iraq and coordinated with other senior al-Qaeda facilitators. Intelligence reports also indicate that prior to Sancar’s death, he was aggressively pursuing a plan to attack northern Iraq, specifically focusing on the Kurdish-controlled areas to increase al-Qaeda in Iraq’s operational reach in the country.

Coalition Forces killed the three foreign terrorists and senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders in an operation June 23. During the course of surveillance operations, Coalition Forces identified a vehicle which they assessed to contain Yilmaz and three associates traveling together. When the vehicle stopped, Coalition Forces moved to detain the four individuals. The four men exited the vehicle, which was followed during surveillance operations, with weapons in hand. As Coalition Forces moved to detain the armed men, the four armed terrorists fired on the forces. Responding in self-defense, Coalition Forces engaged the armed men, killing all four.

Inside the vehicle, Coalition Forces found rocket-propelled grenades, an RPG launcher, numerous AK 47 rifle magazines, a pistol and suspected homemade explosive materials. They safely destroyed the vehicle and weapons on site.

“Coalition operations are disrupting and destroying al-Qaeda’s terrorist network from the highest levels down,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue to target and attack these terrorists who conduct horrendous acts of violence and terror against the Iraqi populace.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Senior al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist identified

Iraqi informants lead U.S. Soldiers to weapons, IED caches

Thursday, 19 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070719-06
July 19, 2007

Iraqi informants lead U.S. Soldiers to weapons, IED caches
2nd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (LI) PAO
Multi-National Division – Center PAO


RUSHDI MULLAH, Iraq — Iraqi informants led Coalition Forces to three significant caches north of Rushdi Mullah, Iraq, July 18.

Accompanying the informants were Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Drum, N.Y., who helped seize the caches just 20 miles south of Baghdad.

“Over the last several weeks, the number of Iraqis who have been sharing tips with us is astounding,” said Maj. Web Wright, a spokesperson for the 2nd BCT. “There has been a turning of the tides against al Qaeda in this area. The people are tired of them and are turning their backs on AQI.”

All three caches were found buried in 55-gallon drums within 100 meters of one another.

The contents of the caches included 13 rocket propelled grenades, 150 bags of Russian mortar propellant charges, two 57mm mortar rockets, an armor-piercing rocket propelled grenade, four cylindrical explosive charges, two square explosive charges, two hand-launched star cluster flares, a Russian fragmentary hand grenade, 25 mortar propellant charges, 100 12.7mm DiSHKA heavy machine gun rounds, 20 25mm rounds, a 75-rounds Ak-47 ammunition drum, three sniper rifle scopes, two mortar sights, 10 cell phone chargers, five radios, a pressure plate, a machine gun lower receiver, two 7.62mm machine gun barrels, two bottles of glucose, four vehicle cell phone chargers, an improvised explosive device command wire initiator, a hands-free telephone headset, an eight-battery holder, four cell phone batteries, a 4.8 voltage rechargeable battery, a seven-piece antennae, two flip-open cell phones, four Motorola talk-abouts, a cordless phone, a cordless phone base, a toy cell phone IED initiator, two phone cords, an antennae extension, two keyless-entry devices with IED initiator switches, two magnets, two circuit boards and various nuts and bolts.
The radio and cell phone accessories are commonly used to detonate IEDs.
The ordnance was destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Iraqi informants lead U.S. Soldiers to weapons, IED caches

12 detained in Coalition operations

Thursday, 19 July 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Multi-National Force - Iraq
703.343.8790

July 19, 2007
Release A070719b

12 detained in Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 12 suspected terrorists during operations Wednesday and Thursday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives in central and western Iraq.

During a precision raid Wednesday, Coalition Forces captured the alleged leader of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cell in Baghdad. Intelligence reports also indicate the suspected terrorist was being considered for a higher position within the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.

An associated raid in Baghdad Thursday netted five suspected terrorists allegedly tied to the leader of a VBIED cell who supplies IED components and vehicles for the bombing network.

A suspected terrorist allegedly tied to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders surrendered himself to Coalition Forces during a raid north of Taji. The individual is also believed to have worked with three terrorists killed during a Coalition Forces operation July 17.

Coalition Forces detained four suspected terrorists during two coordinated raids east of Ramadi Thursday while targeting direct associates of a Syrian who facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists into Iraq.

Northeast of Fallujah, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist allegedly working with an al-Qaeda in Iraq media cell member with access to high-level al-Qaeda in Iraq communications.

“Our efforts continue to put pressure on al-Qaeda in Iraq and its foreign leaders,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - 12 detained in Coalition operations

ISF, CF continue clearing ‘Old Baqouba’

Thursday, 19 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070719-05
July 19, 2007

ISF, CF continue clearing ‘Old Baqouba’
Multinational Division-North PAO

BAQOUBA, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition Forces continued operations in the eastern part of Baqouba, known as Old Baqouba, in renewed efforts during Operation Arrowhead Ripper July 18.

Throughout the day Soldier from the 5th Iraqi Army Division, along with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, and 1-12 Combined Arms Battalion made several arrests and discovered several weapons caches as they moved through the neighborhood.

In one incident, 5-20 IN Soldiers arrested a man suspected of being an improvised explosive device builder. A search of his home revealed various IED components and two other individuals were arrested at that location.

In another incident, two individuals were arrested after they were found to have al-Qaida propaganda materials in their possession.

While clearing the neighborhood, 5-20 IN Soldiers discovered multiple weapons caches containing AK-47 rifles, AK-47 magazines, and a rocket propelled grenade. The cache items were all confiscated.

Since the beginning of Operation Arrowhead Ripper, at least 67 al-Qaida operatives have been killed, 253 have been detained, 63 weapons caches have been discovered, 151 improvised explosive devices have been destroyed and 24 booby-trapped structures have been destroyed.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - ISF, CF continue clearing ‘Old Baqouba’

Five militia suspects detained in Karkh

Thursday, 19 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070719-02
July 18, 2007

Five militia suspects detained in Karkh
2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO


BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained five suspected militia members during a combined operation with Iraqi Security Forces in central Baghdad July 17.

Soldiers from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, attached to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, working with Iraqi troops from 1st Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted searches of targeted homes in the central Baghdad Karkh District, detaining five suspected militia members.

“(We believe) the targets had been involved in kidnapping, murder and attacks on Coalition Forces,” said Capt. Courtney Dean, a platoon leader with Troop C. Dean said Coalition Forces had been targeting the individuals for some time. Recent tips from community residents gave the unit enough information to go after the militia members.
Dean added that operations such as this are rare in the relatively safe area of Karkh.
“Not very often in Karkh do we do lethal targeting operations,” he said. “This was important.”


Multi-National Force - Iraq - Five militia suspects detained in Karkh

Three Suspected Special Groups Terrorists Detained by Coalition Forces


Thursday, 19 July 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Multi-National Force - Iraq
703.343.8790

July 19, 2007
Release A070719a

Three Suspected Special Groups Terrorists Detained by Coalition Forces

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained three suspected Special Groups terrorists during a raid before dawn on Thursday in al-Aamel.

No shots were fired when Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid to capture or kill Jaysh al Mahdi rogues known as “Special Groups” suspected of facilitating the flow of Explosively Formed Projectiles (EFPs) and other lethal aide into Iraq from Iran. These Special Groups terrorists are also suspected of killing Sunni Muslims, directing EFP attacks against Coalition Forces, conducting sniper attacks and promoting sectarian violence. It is believed that these terrorists received weapons, explosives and training from Iran.

During the raid, Coalition Forces confiscated pistols, military equipment, fake forms of identification and other questionable documents.

“Coalition troops continue to target the terrorists who bring EFPs and other lethal aid into Iraq,” said Maj. Marc Young, MNF-I spokesperson. “We remain committed to dismantling terror networks that seek to kill innocent Iraqis and Coalition Forces.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Three Suspected Special Groups Terrorists Detained by Coalition Forces

Cyber Islamic State of Iraq foreign-led ruse

Thursday, 19 July 2007



BAGHDAD — U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Bergner, spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq held an operational update Wednesday at the Combined Press Information Center.
Bergner began the conference by saying the surge of operations in Iraq continues to make progress.

“These operations are increasing pressure on extremists by disrupting their networks, denying safe havens and reducing operating bases,” Bergner said.

In particular, Bergner said Iraqi and Coalition force operations continue to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership and undermine their abilities to conduct terrorist operations.

Coalition forces captured Fatah Da’ud Mahmud Al Mashadani on July 4. Mashadani served first as the al-Qaeda Media Emir for Baghdad and then was appointed the Media Emir for all of Iraq. In this capacity he served as an intermediary between al-Qaeda leader al-Masri, Osama Bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.

Along with al-Masri, Mashadani co-founded a cyberspace organization in cyberspace called the Islamic State of Iraq in 2006, said Bergner.

“The Islamic State of Iraq is the latest effort by al-Qaeda to market itself and its goal of imposing a Taliban-like state on the Iraqi people,” Bergner said.

Bergner said in reality the Islamic State of Iraq is a “front” organization that wants to put an Iraqi face on the foreign leadership of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

According to Mashadani, al-Masri created a fictional political head of the Islamic State of Iraq known as Umar al-Baghdadi, said Bergner. In reality, al-Baghdadi is an actor named Abu Abdullah al-Naima.

Mashadani has confirmed that al-Masri maintains exclusive control over al-Naima as he acts the part of the al-Baghdadi character, Bergner said. Furthermore, said Bergner, al-Masri swore allegiance to al-Baghdadi to make the character appear more credible.

Bergner said Mashadani has confirmed that al-Masri and the leaders with whom he surrounds himself, none of which are Iraqi, make the operational decisions for al-Qaeda in Iraq.

“As Mashadani explained, he and al-Masri created the Islamic State of Iraq fictional leader named al-Baghdadi to create a perception of Iraqi leadership in al-Qaeda in Iraq,” said Bergner.

“Al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders misrepresent themselves and purposely deceive the Iraqi people and their own members. Islamic State of Iraq leaders cloak themselves in Iraqi nationalism, but in fact their purpose is to subjugate the Iraqi people under a foreign-led terrorist organization that wants to impose a Taliban-like ideology on Iraqis,” Bergner said.

Bergner went on to say the effect of the surge of operations in Iraq, combined with the courage of the Iraqi people to stand against al-Qaeda in Iraq is having a clear effect.

“The effects of these operations are enabling Iraqis to turn away from the terrorists and work more closely with their government, their security forces and the Coalition,” he said.


Multi-National Force - Iraq - Cyber Islamic State of Iraq foreign-led ruse

Making a difference: Soldiers get to know locals in Fira Shia

Thursday, 19 July 2007
By Staff Sgt. Jon Cupp
1st Brigade Comabt Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs



FIRA SHIA — The Soldiers of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment are reaching out in operations to build relationships and trust with people living in the areas in which they patrol.

In one outreach project, the troops from the battery conducted a census to gather an accurate assessment of population size and statistics on the area while at the same time interacting with the local populace recently.

“We grew accustomed to doing these types of operations in our last area and now we’re in a place that is a farming village that hasn’t had a lot of direct coalition interaction,” said Capt. Robert Callaghan, the battery commander, who hails from Winterpark, Fla. He explained that interacting with the people of Fira Shia also helps in getting information that leads to finding insurgents as well as weapons caches. “We’ve been very successful in the area so far and the people have been very nice and cooperative.”

“We’re getting a feel for the population here, seeing how they’re doing, and also talking to local leaders,” said Sgt. 1st Class Marvin Lancaster, a platoon sergeant from Tuskegee, Ala.

Along with collecting the census, the Soldiers handed out school supplies and Iraqi flags to the children living in the neighborhoods.

“Giving out school supplies is a good step toward defeating extremist ideologies that exist because it gives us the opportunity to reach out to the future of Iraq—the children,” said Spc. Mulkey, a medic from New Orleans. “As we continue building trust with the people and make them feel more comfortable around us, they start opening up and are willing to help us find insurgents that may be working in their neighborhoods.”

“Being from a country that was built on freedom, we’re helping the Iraqi people to achieve their own successes in gaining the same freedoms that we have back at home,” said Spc. Andrew Ramos, a field artilleryman who claims Ontario, Calif., as home.

Although the census-gathering operation did not involve participation by Iraqi security forces, Btry. B troops said they have, in fact, been performing a lot more cordon and searches and other joint operations in their areas of operations in a partnership with Iraqi troops from the 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division.

“One of our biggest tasks has been helping the Iraqi Army to transition to doing their own security,” said Pfc. Josh Wedding, a field artilleryman a native of Rushville, Ind. “The IAs here have really been doing a great job.

“We went out on one recent mission with them and we were just getting to the objective and they had already accomplished the mission, finding caches and capturing detainees,” added Wedding. “They had wrapped things up so quickly that we were really amazed.”

Another major recent success for Fira Shia involved local area sheiks coming together to fight sectarian violence and begin the reconciliation process.

“For the first time, a couple of weeks ago, the Sunni and Shia sheiks came together and began discussing business and issues in nahia meetings,” said Callaghan. “It’s good that they’re talking now and it’s a great step in the right direction.”

“(Working at local levels to solve problems) is something that will help Iraq towards building its own independent nation,” said Lancaster. “We’re getting involved in helping them serve their area so that they can eventually become self reliant and end the violence that has plagued them for so long.”

After taking a census of Fira Shia, the Soldiers drove to a meeting of local area sheiks from the Aqar Qaf neighborhood which encompasses Fira Shia.

Aqar Qaf, which lies in southern Abu Ghraib also overlaps areas for which Soldiers from Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment are responsible. As such, the neighborhood meeting included Battery B and also involved the participation of leadership from Co. B, 2-5 Cavalry. In addition, the battalion commanders for both the 2nd Bn., 5th Cav. Regt. (Lt. Col. Kurt Pinkerton) and the 1st Bn., 37th FA (Lt. Col. Kenneth Kamper) helped facilitate this particular meeting.

Some topics discussed at the meeting included how the villages can acquire generators that will supply power needs during national grid power outages; hiring contractors for projects within the villages; the hiring of teachers for village schools; the building of an Iraqi police station for the Abu Ghraib area and water pumping stations among many other issues.

“It’s good to have the multiple sides with both Shia and Sunni meeting to get the issues out there and say ‘these are our concerns’ and this is how we’re going to go about fixing them,” said Callaghan, explaining that the Iraqi leaders in the Aqar Qaf nahia are on the path towards solving their own problems.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Making a difference: Soldiers get to know locals in Fira Shia