Thread: Operation Iraqi Freedom/Multi-National Force

Al-Qaeda cell leader killed, seven insurgents detained near Karmah

Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070724-08
July 24, 2007

Al-Qaeda cell leader killed, seven insurgents detained near Karmah
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces killed a senior member of an al Qaeda in Iraq cell and seven suspected insurgents were detained following a series of early-morning raids at a terrorist training camp July 23.

With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Security Forces cleared a series of buildings located on an abandoned Iraqi Army base in the Hamrah Region northeast of Karmah. Iraqi Security Forces were engaged by an enemy shooter at one of their objectives. An assault team moved to positively identify the shooter, a senior al Qaeda cell member, and lethal force was used to eliminate the threat. Various rifles, pictures and identification cards were also seized during the operation.

The abandoned base is purportedly being used as a training facility and safe house for active insurgents, foreign fighters, and weapons. Several insurgent groups from Fallujah and other Western Iraq cities are suspected to use the facility for small arms training and other activities.

The death of the senior member and detainment of the other insurgents will greatly inhibit al Qaeda in Iraq activities.

No Iraqi or Coalition Forces were injured during this operation

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Al-Qaeda cell leader killed, seven insurgents detained near Karmah

Three insurgents killed emplacing roadside bomb

Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070724-06
July 24, 2007

Three insurgents killed emplacing roadside bomb
4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops opened fire on insurgents emplacing a roadside bomb, killing three and wounding at least one more July 21 during continuing clearing operations in the Rashid District.

Troops from Company B, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, witnessed five men out after curfew excavating a hole by the side of the road in a Doura neighborhood of southern Baghdad. The location was an area historically used by insurgents to employ deep-buried improvised explosive devices against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces.

When one of the men was positively identified with an AK-47 assault rifle and appeared to be pulling security for the other diggers, the troops requested permission to engage.

After investigating the area where the insurgents were digging, the troopers found three bodies, the assault rifle, a pistol, two shovels and an axe. They also identified blood trails leading south.

Under Iraqi law, citizens are permitted to keep one AK-47 and a full 30-round magazine in their homes for protection. Handguns or weapons heavier than an assault rifle are not allowed.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Three insurgents killed emplacing roadside bomb

20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained


Tuesday, 24 July 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Multi-National Force - Iraq
703.343.8790

July 24, 2007
Release A070724a

20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 20 suspected terrorists during raids Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operations north of Baghdad.

Three synchronized raids west of Taji targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives associated with senior terrorist leaders and criminal activity. Coalition Forces captured one individual suspected of attacking Coalition Forces and detained 15 others for their alleged links to hijackings and weapons facilitation.

Coalition Forces captured a foreign terrorist suspected of involvement in the May 2007 Samarra suicide vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attack. Also during the raid northwest of Balad, Coalition Forces detained three other suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the foreign terrorist.

“We’re continuing to hunt down those who terrorize the people of Iraq,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson. “Criminals and foreign terrorists have no place in the future of this country.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - 20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained

Troops capture seven suspected insurgents


Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070724-01
July 24, 2007

Troops capture seven suspected insurgents
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO


FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers and Iraqi troops captured seven suspected insurgents during a combined raid July 21 in the Zafaraniya section of eastern Baghdad.

The Soldiers, with Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division, launched the raid in hopes of shutting down a cell believed responsible for making improvised explosive devices and indirect fire attacks. The seven suspects are being held for further questioning.

The captures came as insurgents have stepped up their activity against Iraqi civilians and police officers. Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces have responded by driving into insurgent strongholds and setting up combat outposts and joint security stations as part of Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon, better known as the Baghdad Security Plan.

Coalition and Iraqi Forces continue to reach out to Baghdad residents, encouraging them to turn in insurgents. These tips, together with other intelligence-driven efforts, have led to an increase in captures.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Troops capture seven suspected insurgents

Baghdad revives as surge, economic programs take effect

Tuesday, 24 July 2007



BAGHDAD — Surge-related crackdowns on extremists combined with infrastructure improvements are helping to resuscitate Baghdad’s business and entertainment districts, U.S. and Iraqi officials said Monday.

“Protecting Baghdad’s citizens is a cornerstone of all of our efforts” as part of the Iraqi capital city’s anti-insurgent campaign, Operation Fardh Al- Qanoon, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox told journalists at a Baghdad news conference.

However, reconstruction projects, economic improvements, infrastructure investments and other major renovations are part of overall efforts to help Iraq move forward, he said. Iraq’s recovery in the post-Saddam Hussein era is dependent on progress being made in both the security and economic realms, he said.

Fardh Al-Qanoon, an Iraqi phrase meaning “enforcing the law,” began Feb. 13. It called for dividing Baghdad into 10 districts and creating joint U.S.-Iraqi security stations to put pressure on insurgents. The campaign is being run in conjunction with the surge of U.S. and Iraqi forces into Baghdad and other areas used as extremist havens.

Fox noted that surge-reinforced U.S. and Iraqi military units are pushing the insurgents of the capital city into outlying areas.

At the same time, Baghdad’s business and entertainment centers are starting to come back, thanks to improved security and the completion of thousands of reconstruction projects, Fox said.

As of July 6, more than 3,400 reconstruction projects worth more than $5.5 billion involving schools, highways, bridges, electric power stations, housing, water treatment and sewage plants, ho****als and medical clinics had been completed across Iraq, Fox said.

Another 582 projects worth $2.6 billion are ongoing, he added, noting another 4,300 projects costing $7.9 billion are planned.

Tahseen al Shaikhly, spokesman for Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon, attended the news conference with Fox. He concurred with the admiral that things are looking up in Baghdad. The security operation there possesses both military and economic components, he said.

In addition to security programs, “most of the other activities deal with providing services for the Iraqi people,” the Iraqi official said. More than $35 billion worth of infrastructure-improvement projects, such as street-paving and bridge construction, ho****al and medical clinic rehabilitation, as well as electric power and water treatment plant work, have been completed in Baghdad alone, he said.

All of these reconstruction programs improve the quality of life for Baghdad’s citizens and contribute to the fight against terrorism, he said.

“There are good things that are happening. We are working on the water and the electricity, of course,” Shaikhly said.

As Baghdad’s quality of life increases, surge operations are helping to improve security in Iraq’s capital city, Fox said. The admiral said he’s planning to eat dinner in Baghdad’s renowned Abu Nuwas Street restaurant and entertainment district.

“Abu Nuwas Street is famous in Iraq and in this region for being a place where people gather and have a good time,” Fox said. “There are some very significant and good signs over there.”

Abu Nuwas Street is experiencing a social and economic renaissance, Fox said, citing the building of several new restaurants in the area, as well as refurbished parks. “I’ve got a reservation in one of those restaurants over there to have a good fish meal,” Fox said.

(Story by Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service)


Multi-National Force - Iraq - Baghdad revives as surge, economic programs take effect

Cache found, three detained in Adhamiyah

Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070725-03
July 25, 2007

Cache found, three detained in Adhamiyah
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO


BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops uncovered a weapons cache and detained three suspected insurgents July 23 in the eastern Baghdad Adhamiyah District.

Elements from the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment uncovered the cache and detained the suspects during a search of Adhamiyah neighborhoods. The unit found a cache consisting of eight mortar rounds, five rocket-propelled grenade launchers, three RPG rounds, seven grenades and 1,800 rounds of small arms ammunition.

An explosive ordnance disposal team removed the cache from the area for disposal.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Cache found, three detained in Adhamiyah

Mortar tube, cache seized in south Baghdad

Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070725-04
July 25, 2007

Mortar tube, cache seized in south Baghdad
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO


BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops seized a large cache consisting of mortar tubes, munitions and significant amounts of homemade explosives in the southern portion of the Iraqi capital July 23.

Troops from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, attached to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, discovered an 82mm mortar tube, along with 260 82mm mortar rounds, 11 120mm mortar rounds, 120 blocks of homemade explosives amounting to more than 31 lbs., and numerous components for explosively-formed penetrators and other improvised explosive devices in the eastern portion of the Rashid District, near the Tigris River.

“The discovery of today’s weapons cache will reduce sectarian indirect fire attacks on both sides of the Tigris River in southeast Baghdad,” said Maj. Robert Picht, the 4th IBCT’s fire support coordinator and a native of Bergenfield, N.J. “It also sends a strong signal to the insurgents that we will remain vigilant in our pursuits to identify and cut off their supply lines.”

An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the cache in place after troops cordoned off the area.

Multi-National Force - Iraq - Mortar tube, cache seized in south Baghdad

20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained

Wednesday, 25 July 2007
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Multi-National Force - Iraq
703.343.8790

July 25, 2007
Release A070725a

20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 20 suspected terrorists during raids Wednesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq key leadership and operatives throughout Iraq.

During early morning raids in the northern city of Mosul targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq key leadership, Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists. One of the three individuals detained during the operation is assessed to be the al-Qaeda in Iraq administrative emir for Mosul.

Coalition Forces detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations in Tarmiyah. The 10 individuals were detained for their association with a known al-Qaeda in Iraq key leader who coordinates vehicle-borne improvised explosive device operations and attacks throughout Baghdad.

In a series of coordinated raids in Samarra, Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists. During one operation, five individuals were detained for their association with key al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership in central Iraq known to be involved in the movement of foreign terrorists into Iraq. During a separate operation in Samarra, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist who is assessed to be a close associate of the Baghdad al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership.

In the capital city, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq’s network in Baghdad.

“With every operation Coalition Forces conduct we are further degrading and destroying the al-Qaeda in Iraq network,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson. “Al-Qaeda and its foreign leadership seek only to bring violence and fear to the Iraqi people in its attempt to prevent a secure and democratic Iraq.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - 20 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists detained

MND-B disrupts attack on joint security station

Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070725-10
July 25, 2007

MND-B disrupts attack on joint security station
Multi-National Division Baghdad PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Apache crews from Multi-National Division-Baghdad helped ground forces disrupt a small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenade attack on a joint security station north of Baghdad July 23.

The attack began as an estimated five squads of insurgents began firing at the station with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

Apache crews from 1st “Attack” Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, received clearance to lay suppressive fire in an open field in an attempt to disrupt the attack. The insurgents fled the immediate area after the suppressive fire, and the Apache crews maintained contact with the enemy forces.

Approximately 30 minutes later, a Coalition Forces ground patrol was hit by a roadside bomb while en route to assist the joint security station’s Iraqi Army forces and began taking small arms and RPG fire. The patrol called for the Apache crews to engage a nearby canal to prevent an ambush in conjunction with the roadside bomb strike.

Ninety minutes later, while still providing a security presence, the Apache crews reported coming under fire from two rocket-propelled grenades fired from a house. One round passed in front of the aircraft and the other to the rear of it.

A ground patrol later detained four insurgents and confiscated nine handguns, ammunition and explosive making materials.

“There’s no better feeling for an Apache pilot than knowing that their actions resulted in the capture of enemy personnel,” said Fort Pierce, Fla., native Capt. Paul Daigle, one of the Apache pilots from the engagement. “De****e taking RPG fire and operating in unfamiliar surroundings with a very large number of (enemy forces), our (crews) were determined to stay on station until peace was restored … and friendly forces were no longer in danger.”

Multi-National Force - Iraq - MND-B disrupts attack on joint security station

IA, ISF, U.S. Special Forces detain key rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi suspect in Southern Iraq

Wednesday, 25 July 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070725-12
July 25, 2007

IA, ISF, U.S. Special Forces detain key rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi suspect in Southern Iraq
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Elements of the 3rd Division of the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, detained a key member of a rogue element of the Jaysh al-Mahdi militia July 23 during an intelligence driven raid in al-Imam near al-Hillah.

The targeted individual is reportedly in charge of a JAM political wing in Al Imam responsible for emplacing improvised explosive devices and explosively formed penetrators along supply routes targeting Iraqi and Coalition Forces, causing the deaths of several Coalition Forces.

The assault team located, identified and detained the primary target without incident or resistance. Iraqi Forces also seized JAM propaganda, cellular telephones, one AK-47 rifle and numerous documents.

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

Multi-National Force - Iraq - IA, ISF, U.S. Special Forces detain key rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi suspect in Southern Iraq