You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Iraq
Nine Yusufiyah Terrorists Killed (inculding some Camelkazes)
2006-11-16
BAGHDAD, IRAQ – Coalition Forces killed nine terrorists and detained nine suspected terrorists during a raid Thursday just south of Yusufiyah, further diminishing the al-Qaida in Iraq network.

As Coalition Forces approached the targeted area, they called out for people to exit the buildings. Ground forces noticed several armed individuals in a nearby wooded area maneuvering against them. Close air support was called in to mitigate the threat to the Coalition Forces ground team. Coalition aircraft engaged the terrorists with precision fires. Several of the terrorists killed were wearing suicide vests.
Appears to me there's more to this story than meets the eye.
This and other recent operations in the region highlight the deliberate, methodical dismantlement of the al-Qaida in Iraq network and those who contribute to its illegal actions.
Looks like a very competent and somewhat complex operation. Had to be a 'high value target' - I wonder who? Doubtful the operation was IA. Maybe Task Force 145, or whatever that special outfit is?
Posted by:Glenmore

#8  This and other recent operations in the region highlight the deliberate, methodical dismantlement of the al-Qaida in Iraq network and those who contribute to its illegal actions.

Hooray for our side!
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-11-16 22:59  

#7  Thank you for the insight, Glenmore. I hadn't heard about the principals surrounding themselves with lots of belt bombers. If I were a big falafel, I'd be a bit on edge regarding the judgement of such deathwatch style "bodyguards". Either they have a "safe word" agreement that makes SMBD practitioners look like slackers or someone really, really trusts their security detail.

Given this fact, it only serves to highlight what a stupendous job our troops do in nabbing these highya-muckymucks alive.
Posted by: Zenster   2006-11-16 19:35  

#6  Zen,
I am not so sure it was an interrupted mission briefing; in the past when we've grabbed 'Mr. Bigs' they and/or their guards would have such vests on or nearby. One or two - maybe a mission, but 'several' is more than we usually see on a mission. I infer that they (guards and maybe principal) deployed as we closed and tried to ambush, but were not up to the skill level of the good guys. If I'm right there should have been documents or computers collected, and quite likely some more bad guys rolled up in the next few days.
Posted by: Glenmore   2006-11-16 19:09  

#5  well, if you're wearing any kind of vest, and you attack our air-supported troops, I call that a suicide vest....
Posted by: Frank G   2006-11-16 17:44  

#4  Most definitely this was a very special sort of takedown. How often do you hear of several bomb vest wearers being nailed all at once? This was a mission briefing session where we intercepted a whole crew just getting ready to deploy. Good work, team! Booya!
Posted by: Zenster   2006-11-16 17:25  

#3  Nine Yusufiyah Terrorists Killed (inculding some Camelkazes)

hip hip hooray for our Spetzlamists!
Posted by: RD   2006-11-16 16:33  

#2  Take a bow Joe!
Posted by: Shipman   2006-11-16 15:12  

#1  mitigate the threat

Hehe, I like that term. Ac130's and A10's, in the threat mitigation role. It is just so PC correct and clean.
Posted by: 49 Pan   2006-11-16 13:23  

00:00