Monday, November 13, 2006

Weekend Baghdad Update

Saturday, 11 November 2006


Iraqi Army captures leader of insurgent cell --
BAGHDAD – 8th Iraqi Army Division forces, with coalition advisers, conducted a raid Nov. 11 near Suwayrah and captured the suspected leader of an insurgent cell responsible for attacks against Iraqi security forces. The cell leader is suspected of also being responsible for a car bomb attack in Suwayrah that killed at least nine and injured more than 50 Iraqi civilians.

The insurgent cell is thought to have also coordinated an attack which destroyed an Iraqi Army headquarters in Suwayrah. Iraqi forces detained four additional suspects during the raid.


IA detains suspects in search for death squad leader -- BAGHDAD – Special Iraqi Army forces, with coalition advisers, conducted a raid Nov. 10, in Sadr City to capture a top-level death squad leader who is believed to be responsible for carrying out widespread death squad activities in eastern Baghdad.

This criminal allegedly controls the actions of multiple cells, with hundreds of cell members, that conduct sectarian murder and torture, kidnappings, improvised explosive devices attacks and other attacks and crimes against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi security forces. He also facilitates the flow of weapons and explosives into Iraq which are used to conduct sectarian attacks.

Iraqi Army forces detained five suspects during the raid and confiscated six improvised explosive devices and Iraqi military uniforms.


Iraqi Army detains suspects in search for IED supplier --
BAGHDAD – Special Iraqi Army Forces, with Coalition advisers, conducted a raid Nov. 11 in Abu Ghraib to capture a criminal who is suspected of providing supplies for improvised explosive devices and munitions to an IED cell in the area. The cell is believed to be responsible for bombings which kill and injure Iraqi civilians and security forces.

The Iraqi Force confiscated several sniper and assault rifles during the raid and detained three suspects.

Coalition offers reward for help in the return of kidnapped U.S. -- BAGHDAD – Multi-National Force – The U.S. Government is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the recovery of kidnapped U.S. Army Specialist Ahmed Kousay Altaie who was abducted outside the International Zone in Baghdad October 23.

Altaie is an American of Iraqi decent who moved to the United States as a teenager and joined the Army Reserve in December 2004. He was mobilized in August 2005 and deployed to Iraq three months later.


Since the October 23rd abduction, the Coalition Force has continuously searched for Altaie conducting operations in response to over 300 tips provided by Iraqi citizens.


The Coalition will pay up to $50,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the recovery of Specialist Altaie. Individuals who have information on him should call the Iraqi National Tips Hotline by dialing 130.

Sunday, 12 November 2006

MND-B Soldiers detain four suspected terrorists, seize weapons cache -- BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained four suspected terrorists and seized a weapons cache in one of the capital’s western neighborhoods Nov. 11.

After witnessing suspicious activity, Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, searched four suspects.

They found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an RPG round, an AK-47, a heavy machinegun, three grenades and two assault rifles with two 100-round belts of ammunition.


Three Soldiers Killed in Al Anbar -- CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq – Three Soldiers assigned to 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division died Nov. 11 from wounds sustained due to enemy action while operating in Al Anbar Province.

Coalition Forces repel insurgent attack, kill three insurgents -- CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq – Three insurgents were killed Nov. 11 in a thwarted attack against a Coalition Forces patrol in the Euphrates River city of Hit, Iraq.

Coalition Forces came under gunfire attack near a road intersection by a group of six insurgents.

Coalition Forces responded to the attack with gunfire killing three of the insurgents. The other three fled the scene.

Ten suspected terrorists detained in early morning raid -- BAGHDAD, Iraq –Coalition Forces detained 10 suspected terrorists while conducting an early morning raid today in Baghdad. Credible intelligence indicates the suspected terrorists have ties to key leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq’s network.

It is believed they are associated with terrorists who are involved in the housing, movement and enabling of foreign fighters, to include the organization of suicide operations within Baghdad.

Close coordination allowed Coalition Forces to detain the 10 individuals without injuries or casualties to Iraqi citizens or Coalition Forces.

Coalition Forces destroy booby-trapped building -- RAMADI, Iraq – Coalition Forces used air-delivered precision munitions to destroy a building in Ramadi Saturday that contained explosives set to detonate upon entry.

Coalition Forces were made aware of the explosive-laden building by intelligence and surveillance assets. There were no reports of civilian casualties and no Coalition casualties.


Monday, 13 November 2006

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained 41 suspected terrorists while conducting multiple raids in the Baghdad area this morning. During one of the raids, Coalition Forces called for the suspects in a building to surrender. The suspected terrorists began firing on Coalition Forces and attempted to flee the building. Coalition Forces returned fire killing eight terrorists and wounding one. Sixteen others threw down their weapons and surrendered.

The detainees are believed to have close ties with members of an al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist cell as well as links to foreign fighter facilitators.

Recent intelligence reports indicate the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist cell has been active with local vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and supporting the foreign fighter network. This intelligence was confirmed after ground forces discovered a suicide IED initiator and other explosive devices during the early morning raids.

IA, MND-B Soldiers seize weapons in apartment complex -- MAHMUDIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldiers seized a large weapons cache and detained three individuals in the Qa-Qaa apartment Complex in Mahmudiyah, 30 km south of Baghdad, Saturday morning.

Iraqi Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, Fourth Brigade, Sixth Iraqi Army Division, teamed up with a U.S. advisory team from 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and conducted a “cordon and knock” operation in the apartment complex.

Three 107 mm rockets, 24 82 mm mortar rounds, 17 60 mm mortar rounds, 19 60 mm mortar fuses, 100 mortar charges, two mortar tripods and aiming devices, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an AK-47 assault rifle, a RPK medium machine gun, false identification cards and four license plates were seized during the operation.

The most significant find in the cache was the discovery of 25 anti-armor improvised explosive device cover plates.

The operation was delayed briefly with the discovery of a car bomb parked near the apartment complex. An explosive ordinance team was brought in to dispose of the car bomb. The bomb was detonated on site.

The operation was based on actionable intelligence collected from sources in the area.

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ

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