Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50109
Coalition Air Strikes Kill Militants in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2008 – Several militants were killed and five others were detained yesterday as coalition forces disrupted anti-government operations in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.
Coalition troops searched several compounds in Kajaki district, targeting a Taliban leader associated with the murder of several Afghan government officials. During the searches, they identified a militant armed with a rocket-propelled grenade waiting in ambush, and several others consolidating for an attack.
The coalition troops responded with air strikes, killing the militants.
Continuing their search, the troops discovered AK-47 assault rifles, ammunition vests, ammunition, grenades and a large cache of narcotics. The weapons and drugs were destroyed to prevent future use.
In other news from Afghanistan, Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the British forces of Task Force Helmand captured a series of enemy strong points and defensive positions, mostly ridding the area in northern Garmsir of insurgents.
In the weeks since the Marines started operations in southern Helmand, the insurgents have resisted the advancement of troops and held ground in the district, officials said. The Marines have encountered disorganized resistance in about 150 engagements with insurgents using small arms, indirect fire, and rocket-propelled grenades.
The last engagement was June 1, when an insurgent attempted to engage NATO International Security Assistance Force troops with a grenade, officials said.
The 24th MEU is continuing clearing operations in the district.
“The area in and around Garmsir is currently stable, but there remains a great deal of work to be done,” said Marine Col. Peter Petronzio, 24th MEU commander.
The Marines also are conducting security and census patrols throughout the villages to determine the civilian population living in and moving back to the district. During these patrols, Marines have had many interactions with the Afghan population.
“Many of the people who have approached our patrols have told us how happy they are that the insurgents have left. They seem genuinely glad to be home,” said Marine Lt. Col. Anthony Henderson, commander of the MEU’s reinforced infantry battalion.
The Marines also have found many weapons caches in the areas the insurgents have fled. The caches vary in size and contain a range of items that include bomb-making materials, RPGs, ammunition, mines and unexploded ordnance. Through patrols or based on tips from local citizens, Marines already have discovered 13 caches in June, bringing the total to almost 50 since the start of clearing operations, officials said.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit news releases.)
http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=50110
Coalition Forces in Iraq Round Up Iran-Backed Enemy Fighters
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 5, 2008 – Coalition forces in Iraq captured an alleged leader and a suspected primary weapons smuggler and financier for Iranian-backed enemy fighters today.
Acting on intelligence information, coalition forces conducted a raid on the home of the suspected “special groups” leader in Mahawil, south of Baghdad. He surrendered without incident.
In a separate operation east of Kut, intelligence tips helped coalition forces track down the hideout of a suspected special groups member who sources allege is the primary weapons smuggler and financier for Iranian-backed enemy elements in that area. The suspect and an associate surrendered when coalition forces stormed their location.
In operations in Iraq yesterday:
— Iraqi soldiers seized various bomb-making components, including a pressure plate, in Baghdad’s Sadr City district.
— Another Iraqi army unit seized a wired artillery shell, a rocket-propelled grenade and an RPG round. In a separate operation a short time later, soldiers from the same unit discovered four homemade bombs, each made from three 120 mm rounds rigged together and buried underground. An Iraqi army explosives team disarmed the bombs before they were transported for disposal.
— In the West Rashid district of Baghdad, soldiers serving with the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team seized hundreds of pounds of plastic explosives.
— In the Istaqlal area north of Baghdad, soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team discovered a weapons cache that included a flak jacket, AK-47 assault rifles, AK-47 magazines and 7.62 mm rounds.
— Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team found grenade fuses, grenade parts and ammunition rounds northwest of Baghdad. In the same area a short time later, soldiers from the same unit discovered a 120 mm mortar round, a rocket, an 81 mm mortar round, empty 107 mm rocket casings, a base plate, timer fuses and detonation cord.
— In the Shurta area of Rashid, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team found 120 mm mortar rounds and boxes of 12.7 mm ammunition.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)