Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=32728
Four U.S. Army Soldiers Killed, Senior al-Qaeda Leader Captured
By Melinda L. Larson
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 8, 2007 – Four Task Force Lightning soldiers were killed and one wounded Saturday as a result of an explosion near their vehicle in Iraq’s Diyala Province, defense officials said.
In other news, coalition forces captured a senior al-Qaeda leader and two others during raid Sunday morning in Baghdad.
Coalition forces identified the man as the gatekeeper to the al-Qaeda emir of Baghdad. He has alleged ties to several senior al-Qaeda members and is reportedly linked to a number of mass casualty, vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks in the Baghdad area.
He was detained along with another known al-Qaeda VBIED cell leader and one other suspect.
“This is a significant step in our efforts to disrupt the VBIED network and their devastating attacks against the Iraqi people,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.
Meanwhile, soldiers from the Iraqi Army and coalition forces from Multinational Division Center South and Multinational Division Baghdad entered their third day of fighting today against illegally-armed militia in Diwanuyah.
Operation Black Eagle netted 39 militia members and large caches of weapons including several explosively formed projectiles and IED-making factories, according to military officials.
“So far we have achieved great success fighting the terrorists,” said Maj. Gen. Oothman Faroudm, commander of the 8th Iraqi Army Division, which is leading the assault. “We have freed the people of Diwaniyah from the murder and intimidation that has plagued the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week for months.”
On Saturday, paratroopers from Troop A, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, detained three known insurgents south of Baghdad, according to military officials.
The coalition forces discovered the suspects while performing a reconnaissance of an area north of Mahmudiyah. According to military officials, two of the detainees were positively identified as individuals involved in the shooting of two paratroopers April 3 that killed one and wounded the other.
The third detainee is linked with a known IED production cell near Hawr Rajab, Iraq. One AK-47 with an empty bandolier was also confiscated.
(Compiled from Multinational Force and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=32729
Suicide Bomber Attacks Coalition Patrol, Two Taliban Killed in Airstrike
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 8, 2007 – A suicide bomber attacked a coalition patrol southeast of Jalalabad, Afghanistan, today, and two Taliban fighters were killed in an airstrike, military officials reported.
One coalition soldier sustained minor injuries and returned to duty, and one coalition vehicle was damaged.
“The enemies of Afghanistan continue to fight against the peace and security that the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan works to maintain,” said Army Maj. Eric Zenk, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division spokesman.
Elsewhere, defense officials reported five Afghan Security Guards were wounded and another two were killed during a four-hour firefight with Taliban fighters near the Pakistan border in Paktika Province today.
Meanwhile, a coalition checkpoint in the village of Kakaheyl, Bermel District, received rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire from five Taliban fighters. Military officials reported coalition and Afghan Security Guard forces returned mortar fire and coordinated a coalition air strike on the enemy position.
Coalition aircraft dropped two precision-guided munitions on the enemy position, killing two Taliban fighters and wounding three.
The wounded Afghan Security Guards were evacuated to a nearby treatment facility and are listed in stable condition, according to military officials.
“Afghan Security Guards provide a vital service for all Afghan civilians,” said Army Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force-82 spokesman. “They strive to bring safety and security to their area by protecting the populace from terrorist acts committed by Taliban fighters.”
Military officials reported there were no injuries to Afghan civilians.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force-82 news releases.)