Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16028&Itemid=21
Press Release A071225a
December 25, 2007
Coalition forces target terrorist facilitators, suicide bombers; 13 killed, 27 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 13 terrorists and detained 27 suspects Monday and today during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.
During a series of operations south of Samarra Monday and today, Coalition forces targeted an alleged senior level foreign terrorist facilitator for al-Qaeda in Iraq. The targeted individual is also believed to be responsible for the facilitation of weapons and finances and involved in suicide-bombing operations, some of which include female operatives.
Acting on intelligence reports, Coalition forces targeted a location where the individual was believed to be operating and called supporting aircraft to engage. Four individuals emerged from the target area and attempted to evade capture. As Coalition forces approached one of the individuals, the suspect detonated a suicide vest, killing himself. The ground force then located two of the suspects hiding in a wooded area. Coalition forces engaged and killed the two men. Another individual, who was wounded in the initial engagement, was also found hiding in the wooded area and was subsequently detained. The suspect was treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further care.
As the ground force secured the target area, they discovered several weapons, which were safely destroyed on site, along with a vehicle used for terrorist activity. During the series of operations in the area, Coalition forces also detained 15 other suspected terrorists.
Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces targeted associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader allegedly responsible for coordinating and directing numerous terrorist attacks in the region. Intelligence reports indicate the individuals had executed a man earlier in the day and were later observed in the target area.
During the operation this morning, Coalition forces were engaged on two separate occasions by armed men as they attempted to clear target buildings in the area. The men charged at the Coalition forces’ position, and the ground force engaged the enemy, killing four terrorists. As the ground force continued to clear the area, they were engaged by machine gun fire and grenades from underneath one of the structures. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire and called for supporting aircraft to engage. Once enemy fire ceased, the ground force assessed that five terrorists were killed during the engagement. Coalition forces also detained one suspect during the operation.
In Baghdad Monday, Coalition forces targeted an alleged al-Qaeda member involved in bomb-making operations within the south Karkh car-bombing network. As the ground force arrived in the area, they observed six men maneuvering away from the target building. Coalition forces followed the men and detained four of the suspects. The two other individuals were subsequently engaged. One of them was killed, while the remaining suspect was wounded, detained and transported to a medical facility for treatment.
Five suspected terrorists were detained south of Hawija today, during operations targeting an al-Qaeda leader for the network operating in Kirkuk.
“We continue to disrupt al-Qaeda networks that are conducting attacks against the Iraqi people and the security forces that protect them,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Operations like these show that, while al-Qaeda remains a threat, Iraqi and Coalition forces will take the fight to the terrorists, diminishing their ability to attack innocent civilians.”
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http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3486492,00.html
“Report: More tapes exists showing Egyptian complicity in Gaza smuggling
Government officials tell Ynet that there are additional video tapes revealing Egyptian assisting smugglers bring people and weapons into Gaza Strip. A tape clearly showing Egyptian officials helping Hamas members enter Gaza was sent to US but, in the end, not shown to US Congress”
Roni Sofer
Published: 12.25.07, 11:30 / Israel News
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Government officials told Ynet on Tuesday that the IDF has in its possession additional videotapes which prove Egypt’s complicity in the ongoing smuggling of weapons and terrorists into the Gaza Strip.
“The Egyptian unease is trivial in comparison to the lack of security for citizens of the State of Israel – to whom the rocket attacks, explosive devices, and mortars smuggled into Israeli from the Philadelphi corridor are addressed,” a government official told Ynet on Tuesday.”