Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15858&Itemid=21
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071215-03
December 15, 2007
Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces detain 27 suspected al-Qaeda in North Babil
Multi-National Division – Center PAO
NORTH BABIL, Iraq – A joint raid Dec. 7 resulted in the detention of 27 suspected al-Qaeda terrorists in a building in north Babil that was suspected to be an al-Qaeda safehouse where members planned attacks against local citizens, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.
The raid was conducted by the Iraqi Army and Soldiers with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), currently attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Intelligence indicated that the al-Qaeda members operating out of the building included high-value individuals.
The raid was conducted by an air assault.
As the Soldiers moved from the helicopter, they received direct small-arms fire from the direction of the building.
Coalition Forces returned fire and eventually captured the suspects, including one suspect who attempted to flee and hide in a ditch before being captured.
That individual turned out to be one of the high-value targets.
“The Iraqi Army did a fantastic job in clearing the objective area,” said Capt. George Morris, commander of Co. B, 2-502nd Inf. Regt.
“There is no place to hide,” said Lt. Col. Kane Barksdale, commander of 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery, 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., the battalion task force that 2-502nd Inf. Regt. is tasked under.
“For my area of operation, this was a great success,” Barksdale said, adding that much of the success of the mission was owed to intelligence reports from Concerned Local Citizens.
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15861&Itemid=21
Press Release A071215a
December 15, 2007
Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda operations; four terrorists killed, 18 detained
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 18 suspects during operations Friday and today targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq.
North of Muqdadiyah Friday, Coalition forces targeted alleged associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader responsible for a large terrorist group operating in the northeast Diyala River Valley region. Intelligence reports indicate the targeted individuals are associated with a group recently involved in several fire fights with Coalition forces. The presence of the wanted individuals was confirmed in the target area and supporting aircraft engaged the time-sensitive target, killing three terrorists and destroying a vehicle. Secondary explosions erupted from the vehicle after it was engaged, indicating explosives were likely stored in it.
Coalition forces conducted an operation northeast of Muqdadiyah today, targeting an alleged senior facilitator for al-Qaeda in Iraq. Four suspected terrorists were detained during the operation and one man was killed when the ground forces perceived him as a hostile threat and engaged him.
In Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in extremist activity in the Arab Jabour area, and a close associate of the terrorist network in the region. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site without incident. West of the city, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in an improvised explosive device network in the region. Reports also indicate the wanted individual is associated with an al-Qaeda in Iraq member involved in the media and weapons facilitation network in the city.
Two suspected terrorists and another wanted individual were detained by Coalition forces today during an operation west of Tarmiyah. The wanted individual is believed to be involved in improvised explosive device attacks in the area, and is a close associate of individuals recently detained by Coalition forces for their involvement in the network north of Baghdad. The network is responsible for car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks in the area, as well as being involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists.
Farther north in Hawija, Coalition forces detained seven suspected terrorists today while targeting an alleged associate of the al-Qaeda network in the Salah ad Din province.
“We remain vigilant and determined to dismantle al-Qaeda in Iraq,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Iraqi and Coalition forces’ disruption of their operations impedes their ability to attack innocent Iraqis.”
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