Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48955
Coalition Forces Kill 4 Terrorists, Detain 8 in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2008 – Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained eight suspects in operations yesterday and today in central and northern Iraq, military officials reported.
Coalition forces conducted an operation today in Baqouba, targeting an alleged associate of an improvised explosive device cell leader operating in the region and of an IED facilitator who was killed during an operation Feb. 8. Coalition forces killed two terrorists during the operation.
In Tarmiyah, three suspected terrorists were detained today while targeting an alleged leader of the terrorist network in the city, who is a close associate of an al Qaeda in Iraq senior leader in Baghdad’s northern belt. The network is responsible for car bombing and IED attacks in the area, as well as operations involving extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and facilitating foreign terrorists. During an operation southeast of Hawijah yesterday, coalition forces targeted an alleged leader of the al Qaeda in Iraq network in Kirkuk. Reports indicate the suspect is tied to numerous leaders within the network, including Abu Harith, a former leader of the network who was killed Nov. 21 for his role in facilitating terrorist attacks.
As the ground force arrived in the target area, they encountered two armed suspects. One man was carrying a machine gun, and one man who matched the description of the targeted terrorist was wearing a grenade belt. One of the men reached for his grenade belt and coalition forces engaged, killing both men. Once the area was secure, the ground force confirmed one of the men killed was the targeted terrorist.
Coalition forces detained an additional five suspects southwest of Samarra today while targeting associates connected to an al Qaeda in Iraq car-bomb factory in the area. Reports indicate the targeted individuals were involved in al Qaeda operations, including executions, and were close associates of a suspect detained yesterday for his involvement in weapons and IED facilitation.
In Iraq operations Feb. 11:
— An Iraqi policeman and seven insurgents were killed during a small-arms attack in southern Ninevah province. Nearby homes were searched, and 16 individuals were detained by the Iraqi police for further questioning.
— Iraqi security forces found a house rigged with at least 11 IEDs in the Rusafa security district of eastern Baghdad. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, attached to 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, investigated the site and reported that Iraqi forces found the house, which was rigged with 10 IEDs in the courtyard and one at the front door. Explosive ordnance detachment personnel were dispatched and found two doors booby-trapped with wire, an anti-tank mine and three 57 mm rockets.
— Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers targeting criminal elements detained 25 individuals during a series of coordinated operations in the Sabak Sur, a neighborhood in northeastern Baghdad. The operations were initiated from tips provided by local residents, said Army Maj. Trey Rutherford, executive officer for the 82nd Airborne Division’s 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, which conducted the operations.
In other Iraq news, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers captured a suspected Iranian-trained “special groups” criminal cell leader in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Hurriya on Feb. 10.
Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, detained the alleged cell leader during a raid. The cell leader is believed to have been involved in IED and small-arms attacks aimed at coalition and Iraqi security forces. The suspect was taken to a coalition forces detention facility for further questioning.
Also Feb. 10, Iraqi security forces with the 11th Iraqi Army Division’s 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, rescued an Iraqi woman following a kidnapping in the Karkh district of western Baghdad. After receiving a tip, the Iraqi army soldiers were able to locate the kidnappers and rescue the woman. The two men allegedly responsible for the kidnapping were arrested and taken into custody.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48956
Coalition Forces Kill 1 Terrorist, Capture 3 in Afghanistan
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2008 – An armed assailant was killed, and three individuals were detained during a coalition operation yesterday in Afghanistan’s Oruzgan province, military officials said.
Coalition forces performed a search of compounds in the Tarin Kowt district targeting a Taliban commander responsible for conducting anti-government activities. While searching one of the compounds, coalition forces were engaged by multiple armed assailants barricaded in a building. Coalition forces employing small-arms fire killed one of the assailants. Another armed assailant who fired on coalition forces was captured.
Completing the search, coalition forces detained two more individuals with suspected links to the Taliban. The detained individuals will be questioned on their involvement with Taliban operations and other extremist activities.
“Coalition forces remain focused on defeating insurgent networks in Afghanistan,” said Army Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, a coalition forces spokeswoman.
Elsewhere, Afghan citizens led Afghan security forces to a weapons cache in Nangarhar province Feb. 10. Residents of Fateh Mina Village, Lal Por district, Nangarhar province, discovered the cache, and Afghan security forces were able to secure the area and safely remove the dozens of weapons from the cache site. Thirty rocket-propelled-grenade rounds and 32 82 mm mortar rounds were confiscated.
“It is clear that citizens of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan are committed to government objectives to thwart insurgent activity in their neighborhoods,” Bowman said. “Afghan national security forces will continue to take these weapons out of the hands of insurgents and make the area safer for residents.”
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 82 news releases.)