Al Qaeda in Iraq claims 'storming' operation in Baghdad

The Long War Journal | Bill Ardolino and Bill Roggio | Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) claimed credit for last week's deadly suicide assault on the Justice Ministry in Baghdad that killed 22 Iraqis. Seven Iraqi policemen and 15 civilians were killed in the March 14 attack. AQI claimed the "storming" operation, as it refers to such offensives, in a statement that was released yesterday on jihadist Internet forums. The statement was obtained and translated by the SITE Intelligence Group. The operation began with "storming the main entrance of the ministry with an explosives-laden vehicle driven by" a suicide bomber. Al Qaeda in Iraq claimed that the attack disoriented and disabled the Iraqi security forces guarding the compound, allowing the main assault team of four heavily armed fighters to attack a secondary gate, breach the defenses, and enter the ministry. (READ MORE)

First Females Graduate Police College

One of the first-ever female Iraqi Police officers to attend and complete training at the Baghdad Police College proudly poses for a photo following the BPC’s latest graduation ceremony, Nov. 9. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Edwin L. Wriston, Joint Combat Camera Center - Iraq.

Troops, Iraqi Police Support Schools

Jabar, Iraqi Federal Police officer, hands out books to young girls at a local school in Baquba. The Humanitarian Aid mission was oversaw by the Iraqi Federal Police, with support from U.S. forces. Photo by 1st Lt. Meghan E. Keefe, 37th Engineer Battalion.

Federal Police Refine Tactics, Procedures

An Iraqi Federal Police officer puts up a wanted poster of a known criminal during a cordon and search operation in the Rissala neighborhood of western Mosul, Sept. 17. Photo by 2nd Lt. Jeff Orban, 1st Cavalry Division.

Mentoring

Little Rock, Ark., native Capt. Alex Aquino (center), commander of Battery B, 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, speaks with Lt. Col. Majid Hentan, commander of the al-Wenda Battalion, 6th Bde., 22nd Federal Police Div., about an improvised explosive device in northern Baghdad Aug. 23. "They are very receptive when I offer my help," said Aquino. "They are beginning to lead and it shows they want to be independent."

Tikrit Orphanage

An Iraqi woman watches U.S. Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Iraqi Police officers and members of the Salah ad Din Provincial Reconstruction Team, during a visit to the children of the Tikrit Orphanage to drop off toys and books, in Tikrit, Iraq, Aug. 8. Photo by Staff Sgt. Luke P. Thelen.

On Target

An Iraqi Police officer from the Daquq, Iraq, police station demonstrates firing at targets during training provided by Soldiers from 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Aug. 13. The training instructed IP on close quarters marksmanship, reflexive fire, and proper stance. Photo by Spc. Canaan Radcliffe.

Iraqi Federal Police Fight Hand to Hand

Iraqi Federal Police officers practice choke holds as part of a U.S. Army Combatives Course on Forward Operating Base Falcon, Aug. 15. Photo by Sgt. Mary Phillips, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Federal Police Reach Out to Children

Brig. Gen. Majid M. Abaas hands out school supplies to the children of the Bab Al-Toob neighborhood during a humanitarian aid drop in West Mosul, Aug. 8. Photo by 2nd Lt. Jeff Orban, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

Kirkuk Residents Helped by Iraqi Police

Iraqi Police in Kirkuk give a food bag to an elderly Iraqi woman during a humanitarian aid delivery, July 27. The IP, with assistance from the U.S. Army, delivered food, toys and school supplies to at least 200 residents. Photo courtesy of 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs.

Chief of Police

Maj. Gen. Khalid, Iraqi provincial chief of police, discusses the continuing partnership with Coalition forces and the Iraqi Police during a meeting at the Iraqi Police division headquarters in the village of Hammam al Alil, Iraq, July 28. Photo by Senior Airman Kamaile O. Chan.

Future Hero Project Brings Soccer Balls, Backpacks to Thousands of Children

An Iraqi Policeman gives a soccer ball to a young boy in Tarmiyah, north of Camp Taji, July 29. Photo by Maggie White, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.

Police Search

An Iraqi National Police officer searches a fellow police officer during a training exercise for Wolf Academy as Sgt. Aaron Eckert (left background), a cavalry scout assigned to 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division looks on at Joint Security Station Istaqlal July 28. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell.

Combatives Training

An Iraqi Shurta, with the Department of Border Enforcement, practices combative training on on a class instructor, a U.S. Soldier, with 1st Commando Battalion, in Basra, Iraq, July 19. Photo by Spc. Samantha Ciaramitaro.

Investigation Training

Iraqi Police officers listen as U.S. Soldiers instruct a class on police investigative procedures at Forward Operating Base Diamondback, near Mosul, Iraq, July 19. A group of Iraqi Police officers assigned to the Mosul public service academy attend the course so that they may later teach other officers. Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Carmichael Yepez.

Instruction

Capt. Hayder Adnan Ali, Iraqi Police liaison to coalition forces, instructs trainees on proper shooting techniques from the prone position while Sgt. Hayder Sahib Silan, Wasit IP mobile training team instructor, demonstrates at the IP provincial headquarters, July 20. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Joe Thompson.

Medic Training

Sgt. 1st Class Juan Almonte shows a national police medic how to properly insert a needle on a patient during a combat medic training exercise, July 22, at Joint Security Station Loyalty, located in the 9 Nissan District of eastern Baghdad. The medics have held a series of training events the past couple weeks to teach their Iraqi counterparts on how to treat injuries sustained in combat. Almonte is a senior medic assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad. Photo by Jared N. Gehmann.

U.S. MP's Continue to Mentor Iraqi Police

591st Military Police Company Soldiers walk back to their vehicles after checking on the progress of their Iraqi Police counterparts at a checkpoint in western Baghdad, July 24. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Iraqis Lead Convoy Through Baghdad

The Iraqi National Police take the lead and escort a U.S convoy through Baghdad, July 6. Photo by Capt. Tommy Avilucea. Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq.

IP Prevent Attack, Receive Army Medal

Lt. Col. Terry Cook, 1st Cavalry Division, pins Commissioner Hameed Hermis, an Iraqi Police officer, with an Army Achievement Medal during a ceremony at the Provincial Joint Control Center in Kirkuk city, May 19. Photo by Pfc. Justin Naylor, 1st Cavalry Division.