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| Iraq |
| Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda killing six terrorists, two suspects detained |
| 2007-10-04 |
| Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained two suspects during operations Monday and Tuesday targeting associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq in the central part of the country. West of Balad Tuesday, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq member believed to be the key communications link between senior leaders of al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda in Iraq. When the ground force approached the target, they were engaged by an armed man who emerged from a vehicle. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire, killing two terrorists, and igniting the vehicle. Multiple secondary explosions erupted from the vehicle after it was engaged, indicating explosives stored inside. The nature of the explosions and detainee reporting indicated weapons and explosives were present in the vehicle. The ground force also detained one suspect on site. Early Monday, Coalition forces discovered three men attempting to re-seed improvised explosive devices in an area where the ground force had previously destroyed several two IEDs. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing one terrorist. The ground forces searched a nearby building in the same location and discovered two IED pressure plates which were safely destroyed on-site. That afternoon, surveillance elements witnessed three men emplacing several IEDs along a canal road. Again, perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces called an air strike on the time-sensitive target, killing the three terrorists. During a two-day operation the Coalition forces also discovered three significant weapons caches. Intelligence led the ground force to a local school reported to be used as an al-Qaeda in Iraq safe house and mortar team staging area. Numerous weapons and ammunition were found on site to include mortar rounds, rocket propelled grenades, pressure plates, blasting caps, and rockets reported to be used as surface-to-air weapons in field expedient rocket launchers. Near the school, Coalition forces also discovered two other large caches with similar material to include hand grenades, IED making material and a training manual. The ground force detained one suspect during the operation. All weapons were safely destroyed by the ground force. “Successful operations like these will assist the Iraqi people in their reconciliation efforts,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue dismantling al-Qaeda so Iraqis can regain control of their villages.” |
| Posted by:Fred |