U.S., Iraqi Forces Kill, Capture Insurgents in Raids

American Forces Press Service ^

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2006 – Iraqi and coalition forces conducted a series of coordinated raids near Taji and Yusifiyah, Iraq, yesterday, killing two and capturing seven wanted terrorists and detaining more than 50 other suspects. At approximately 6 p.m. local time yesterday, coalition forces killed two al Qaeda terrorists involved in foreign fighter facilitation. The troops tracked the two to a location near Taji, and killed the terrorists before they could react, U.S. officials said.

Abu Usamah, one of the two killed and the troops' primary target, was allegedly involved in suicide and car-bomb attacks, as well as foreign fighter facilitation.

No civilians were injured during the operation.

In a separate operation, combined forces raided multiple locations near Yusifiyah based on information and intelligence regarding the whereabouts of foreign terrorists, foreign terrorist facilitators, operatives and leaders affiliated with the al Qaeda network, U.S. officials said.

The comprehensive operation was conducted to deny safe haven and to kill or capture foreign and Iraqi terrorists who have been operating in the region, officials said. Over the past several weeks, terrorists, most of them foreign, have used the hostile region as a staging area to launch suicide operations into Baghdad, they said.

Iraqi and Coalition forces have conducted several previous raids in the area in the past few weeks, resulting in the death of more than 20 foreign terrorists. Several of the terrorists were wearing suicide vests when the assault forces killed them.

In a related issue, officials provided updated information that of 12 terrorists killed in an April 25 raid in Yusifiyah, at least five and as many as 10 of the terrorists were confirmed to be foreigners.

In other news from Iraq, a car bomb detonated near Qaim April 28, killing three Iraqi civilians.

"Our thoughts are with the families of the innocent civilians who lost their lives," Marine Lt. Col. Bryan F. Salas, a Multinational Force West spokesman, said.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)

[SandRat]

More good War News but a touch of sadness.

[bnelson44]

My son reminded me that Saddam's birthday just past. Could account for the recent activity, especially in Baqubah.

[SandRat]

So did Saddam get a birthday cake frosted with EXLAX?

[The Mayor]

Bump!

[bnelson44]

Let's just say the enemies coordinated assault in Baquba didn't go as planned.

[hsalaw]

Over the past several weeks, terrorists, most of them foreign, have used the hostile region as a staging area to launch suicide operations into Baghdad, they said.

Hiding among the innocent citizenry, no doubt. I hate those b*stards, and wish we could just obliterate them, but I certainly see how difficult it is to root them out without destroying the innocents, as well. Prayers for our troops, the coalition forces, the improving Iraqi forces, and for the success of their mission.

[Marine_Uncle]

I continue to hold the view that at this point, al Qaead is literally fragements. Hold outs if you will. When you kill capture ten, twenty at a time in a given area, how many can be left. Grant all, the town mentioned here Yousifiya contains safe houses, network contacts, weapon suppliers, and of equal importance, financial aid from Saddamist to back various elements of the resistance, if you want to call it that.
With less al Qaeda getting into Iraq, and so many of all the resitance, insurgent, and other elements being taken out they have to be begging for new recruits. But how many want to join up a this point.

[katykelly]

Speaking of Saddam's birthday, I think he was 69, and I understand Iraq has a tradition that anyone over 70 that receives a death sentence has it commuted to life in prison automatically.

[katykelly]

Speaking of Saddam's birthday, I think he was 69, and I understand Iraq has a tradition that anyone over 70 that receives a death sentence has it commuted to life in prison automatically.