Note; The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20877&Itemid=21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080701-02
July 1, 2008
ISF detain nine suspected AQI members throughout northern Iraq (Balad)
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces detained nine suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq members in an operation to disrupt criminal activities throughout northern Iraq, June 23 – 28.
The 3rd Iraqi Army Division detained five suspected AQI believed to be leaders of a large-scale smuggling operation, June 28. The suspects were detained at a suspected smuggling safe house in a village on the Syrian border northwest of Mosul.
The IA confiscated approximately 1,400 cartons of cigarettes valued at around $49,000.00. Money generated from the black market sales of contraband is reportedly used to support criminal and foreign fighters.
In another operation in Balad, the 4th IA Div. detained a suspected AQI cell leader from the Rowad village area of Baghdad, June 27. The suspect, who was seeking refuge from Iraqi and Coalition forces’ clearing efforts in Baghdad, is believed to be involved in small-arms fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. Another suspected criminal was also detained during the operation.
In Samarra, approximately 125 kilometers north of Baghdad, U.S. Special Operations Forces recovered approximately 100 pounds of potassium nitrate bags from what is believed to be a former AQI safe house June 26.
In Tikrit, the Tikrit Special Weapons and Tactics unit conducted an operation to disrupt criminals and foreign fighters, and AQI logistical capabilities June 25. SWAT discovered, and later destroyed, a fuel point believed to provide logistical capabilities to criminals in the western part of the Jazeera Desert-Thar Thar region. During the same operation, SWAT also found a possible AQI bed-down site.
In Bayji, 40 kilometers northwest of Tikrit, the Bayji Emergency Service Unit detained two suspected criminals, one believed to be a facilitator for AQI and the Islamic State of Iraq, a front organization for AQI, June 23. They also confiscated a small weapons cache consisting of anti-tank mines, rocket propelled grenades, grenades, AK-47s, rocket and over 5,000 assorted rounds of ammunition.
“Iraqi Security Forces continue to degrade terrorists’ safe havens and networks in the northern regions of Iraq as they demonstrate their determination to seek anyone operating outside the law,” said Lt. Col. Neil Harper, a spokesperson for Multi-National Corps – Iraq.
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20879&Itemid=21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080701-04
July 1, 2008
ISOF, elite ISF units continue clean up operations in Amarah
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, the Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics team and the Baghdad National Emergency Response Unit are playing key roles in the Government of Iraq’s massive campaign to disrupt the criminal elements inthe city of Amarah.
With the cooperation of tribal leaders and many of the local citizens, Iraqi Security Forces began setting the foundation to enforce the rule of lawinthe city June 19. ISOF, Hillah SWAT and the Baghdad National ERU conducted several precision operations throughout the city targeting Special Groups criminals and abettors.
According to Iraqi Brig. Gen. Noa’amam Dakeel Jawad, the Iraqi National ERU commander, ISOF and ISF will continue to conduct operations in the area until the citizens of Amarah are safe and free from the criminals in their city.
“The ERU, ISOF and Hillah SWAT have all played a large role on missions of high importance,” he said. “Things have been successful and will continue to be.”
In the past several days, Jawad and his men, along with Hillah SWAT and ISOF, have detained more than 20 individuals on warrants issued by the Ministry of Interior.
The past weeks’ clearing efforts have allowed the Iraqi government to take control of Amarah and work to establish a lasting presence for security and stability. Many Special Groups criminals, particularly the top-level criminals, fled the area to avoid capture.
“So far, there has been little to no retaliation and no innocent [people] have been hurt,” said an ISOF sergeant.
While most of the criminals fled in fear since their operations began, Jawad and his men are still making detainments, finding evidence of criminal activity and recovering criminals’ weapons caches.
In one particular mission, the ERU searched a downtown building believed to be the headquarters for Special Groups. In addition to discovering an apparent torture room containing what were identified as interrogation tools and a large number of anti-Coalition propaganda, they found a large weapons cache consisting of explosively formed projectiles, more than 100 rounds of assorted ammunition, home-made bombs, wire and anti-tank rounds, along with information on methods of attacking Coalition forces’ convoys.
Other successful operations included the detainment of a man reported to be the leader of a criminal cell specializing in sectarian killings and a financier for the organization. The ERU has also detained an Iraqi Police chief who is suspected of being a Special Groups criminal leader, facilitator and financier who has great influence over the IP in the area, as well as a police officer wanted for his involvement with sectarian killings.
According to a local sheikh, Amarah is used as a shipment point for all of the provinces in Iraq and a “warehouse” for weapons and wanted criminals traveling back and forth from Iraq and Iran.
In-depth searches for hidden weapons caches in Amarah by Iraqi Forces yielded approximately seven sites. Estimated finds by ISOF, SWAT, and ERU include roughly 180 lbs. of explosive compounds, 600 anti-tank mines, 280 rocket propelled grenades, 200 various EFP-making materials, more than 1,000 assorted rounds of ammunition, 320 mortar rounds, explosive-making materials and various weapons including more than 80 pieces of sniper equipment.
Citizens are counting on the GoI to continue seizing illegal weapons and weeding out the corrupt officials and criminal elements from their city.
Jawad believes the GoI will be successful and will ultimately turn Amarah into a peaceful community and a better place for its citizens.
When the clearing operations are complete, there will be more opportunities for work, and the youth will be more apt to join the Iraqi Security Forces, said Jawad. With criminals gone, people will prosper from a stimulated economy and improved safety and security.
“I would like all the bad people brought to justice,” said Jawad. “Everyone should be held accountable. The law should be forced on everyone to guarantee the success of the mission for Amarah and all of Iraq.”
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