August 27, 2007

Staying on the Offensive Results in 11 Terrorists Killed, 6 Captured

11 terrorists were killed and six were detained in Coalition operations on Sunday in which Coalition Forces targeted senior al Qaeda in Iraq leaders a foreign terrorists facilitator:

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed 11 terrorists and detained six suspected terrorists during operations Sunday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and their networks in central and northern Iraq.

Coalition Forces killed a targeted foreign terrorist facilitator and five other terrorists during an operation west of Baghdad. Intelligence reports indicate the facilitator provided three suicide bombers to al-Qaeda in Iraq for an upcoming attack in an unknown location. As Coalition Forces approached the hostile buildings, they immediately received small arms fire and defended themselves by returning fire, killing one terrorist. Three armed men ran into a nearby palm grove, and Coalition Forces called in close air support to contain the hostile threat. Two of the armed men engaged the ground forces and were killed when Coalition Forces returned fire. The third terrorist was killed by fire from the aircraft defending the ground forces against the hostile threat.

When the assault force approached the target buildings, they saw two armed men inside. Responding to the threat, Coalition Forces engaged the two armed terrorists, killing them. The ground forces also discovered bomb-making materials, a bomb-making manual, extremist propaganda, Syrian money and weapons. An explosives team destroyed the bomb-making materials on site.

Two coordinated raids north of Taji targeted associates of the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the northern belts around Baghdad. Using information from an operation Aug. 6, Coalition Forces moved in on members of a terrorist operations cell there. As the ground forces secured the building, three men refused to comply with the interpreter’s instructions and maneuvered into a palm grove. Coalition Forces received small arms fire from the area and, responding in self-defense, returned fire and called close air support to help contain the enemy. One armed terrorist was killed by aircraft fire, and two armed terrorists were killed by ground fire.

In the second raid, ground forces moved to secure the target building and found the occupants uncooperative. When the assault force entered the building, a man appeared from beneath several blankets and lunged at the assault force. Coalition Forces, responding to the hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him. The ground forces detained one suspected terrorist for his alleged ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

Iraqi and Coalition Forces conducted an operation south of Hawija targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the area, who is believed to have ties to several terrorist groups and be responsible for attacks on Coalition Forces. Ground forces secured the buildings at the scene, but one man refused to comply with Coalition Forces’ instructions. The man approached the assault force and motioned as if he was reaching for a weapon. Coalition Forces, responding in self-defense against the hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him.

Another operation targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq occurred south of Baghdad. The ground forces targeted the terrorist leader of the Arab Jabour region and one of his associates who is responsible for car bombing operations in the area. Coalition Forces detained five suspects for their alleged ties to the terrorist leaders.

“We’re not resting – we’re staying on the offensive against al-Qaeda in Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We want to stop them before they’re able to conduct brutal and indiscriminate attacks against Iraqis.”

Great hunting boys, we can not rest, we must stay on the offensive. You keep doing your aprt there and I'll do my part here to tell your story and sway public opinion back in our favor.

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