BUILDING HOUSING SUSPECTED TERRORISTS HIT IN AIR STRIKE NEAR ARAB JABOUR
BAGHDAD – Coalition Forces conducted an air strike Wednesday targeting an al-Qaida in Iraq-related vehicle-borne improvised explosives devices network near Arab Jabour.
Intelligence reports indicated that this network is responsible for a large and devastating number of VBIED attacks in the Baghdad area. They are also responsible for IED and sniper attacks conducted against the Iraqi people and Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
As Coalition Forces approached the targeted building they came under intense enemy fire. Ground forces assessed seven suspected terrorists were in the targeted building. Coalition Forces determined the targets too hostile for ground troops and called for air support. Two precision guided munitions were dropped destroying the targeted building and an associated structure.
Coalition Forces continue to tear apart the al-Qaida leadership inside Iraq. This operation significantly reduces this VBIED terrorist network’s ability to operate, and increases the safety of all Iraqi citizens, Iraqi forces, and Iraq’s Multi-National partners.
IA Captures Corrupt Ministry of Health Official
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Special Iraqi Army Forces captured a senior Ministry of Health official today who is suspected of being a central figure in alleged corruption and rogue Jaysh Al-Mahdi infiltration of the MoH.
The suspect is implicated in the deaths of several MoH officials, to include the MoH Director General in Diyala Province.
He is reported to openly intimidate and threaten MoH officials who disagree with and question his actions.
The suspect reportedly orchestrates several kickback schemes related to inflated contracts on MoH equipment and services. These kickbacks are funneled to rogue JAM elements to support sectarian attacks and violence targeting Iraqi civilians. He is suspected of funding rogue JAM through large scale employment of militia members.
These militia members are reported to target Iraqi civilians using MoH facilities and services for sectarian kidnapping and murder. The suspect’s corruption is believed to have funneled millions of U.S. dollars into rogue JAM.
Iraqi forces captured the suspect during operations at a Ministry of Health office in the Rusafa district of Baghdad.
IA, Cavalry team up to bring aid to residents of Shafa’at
Multi-National Division – North PAO
SHAFA’AT, Iraq –Troops from the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division (3-2 IA) joined Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (5-82 FA, in conducting a humanitarian assistance visit to the village of Shafa’at Feb. 1.
The joint mission delivered much-needed medical supplies, food, and cold- weather clothing. The 3-2 IA soldiers also unloaded several trucks filled with water and distributed toys for the children, who greeted the soldiers with hugs and smiles.
After distributing the necessities to the village, medics from the 3-2 IA, 5-82 FA, and 45th Transportation Support Battalion gave a medical check-up and administered aid to Shafa’at’s 45 children.
Future joint humanitarian missions are planned for the Ninewa Province’s outlaying villages and towns that require assistance.
Iraqi Army, paratroopers work in concert to detain four suspects
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army troops detained four suspected insurgents southeast of the Iraqi capital Feb. 8 with a little help from Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers.
Soldiers from 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division acted on a tip passed to them from paratroopers of the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, and detained the four suspects in Suyyid Jihad, Iraq, south of Baghdad.
The Iraqi troops stopped the suspects in a sedan and found that each had three different identification cards. The suspects also had four pistols and two AK-47s.
The four were taken into custody by the Iraqi troops for further questioning.
Oh and an interesting little tidbit for you. Of all the attacks in Iraq did you know that the vast majority (78%+) occur in only 4 provinces of the 18 there are? That 37% of the population live in these 4 areas and yet they account for 78% of the attacks.
Of course not, they don't want you to know that.
A very interesting report is here: http://www.defenselink.mil/pubs/pdfs/9010Quarterly-Report-20061216.pdf