Week in Review...

Published on July 27, 2005 By ShadowWar In Current Events

Iraqi soldiers capture
foreign fighters

BAQUBAH – Iraqi and Coalition soldiers captured a high value individual during a raid July 21 north of Baghdad, according to a multinational forces report. Soldiers with the 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division, along with soldiers from Task Force 2-34, conducted a raid on short notice in Khan Bani Saad Thursday. The successful operation resulted in the capture of 11 suspected insurgents, six of whom were foreigners. Five Syrians and one Egyptian were detained in the operation and
are being held for questioning.

Iraqi police arrest extortionist
with ties to terrorist group

BAGHDAD – Iraqi police recently arrested a man who attempted to kill several people for failing to pay him money he was demanding, according to a multinational forces
report dated July 22. Police officers from the Al Hurrya Police Station caught
the suspect after he had thrown a hand grenade at the home of a family in the Mansour District. No one was hurt in the blast. At the time of the suspect’s arrest, he was in
possession of one AK-47 automatic rifle and one handgun. The weapons were seized for evidence. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the suspect is a member
of the Alan Shar Sunni terrorist group. According to the suspect, he was recruited by the group to be a driver and was paid 200,000 dinar for his efforts.

Iraqi Army patrols find IED and
capture insurgent

AD DULUIYAH – Iraqi Army soldiers on patrol discovered and destroyed an improvised explosive device here July 22, according to a multinational forces report.
Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division discovered the IED consisting of two 155 mm artillery rounds. Elements of Task Force 1-15 and an Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team arrived at the scene and assisted in the preparations for a controlled blast which destroyed the IED. Elsewhere, elements of Task Force 5-7 and 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division conducted a joint cordon and search for an anti-Iraq forces operative based upon information provided by a local national. The search resulted in the capture of the suspected insurgent believed to be involved in IED attacks against Coalition forces on
main supply routes in the vicinity of Balad.

Iraqi soldiers capture suspect
near traffic point

QAYYARAH – Iraqi soldiers observed a suspicious man carrying a box near a traffic control point July 22, and captured him before he could escape, according to a multinational forces report. The man suddenly dropped the box and attempted to
flee while walking next to the traffic point. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division chased him down and immediately captured the suspect. The box he was carrying contained one anti-tank mine, one washing
machine timer, and a 12-volt rechargeable battery. The man was detained and the contents of the box were destroyed.

Police detain four insurgents

KIRKUK – Iraqi police officers and Coalition forces conducted a knock and search operation July 22 resulting in the capture of an anti-Iraq forces cell, according to a multinational forces report. Elements of the 2-116 U.S. Armored Regiment and Iraqi
police confiscated wires, schematics, circuit boards, boxes of electronics, information on how to make improvised explosive devices, a sketch of the 4th Street bridge, information on soldiers in a specific unit, identification information
on soldiers at a forward operating base, a soldier’s care package, and an Iraq visual language military training aid. Four men, claiming to be Kurdish, were detained during
the operation. All four detainees were later determined to be Arabs and were taken to the Qoria Police Station.

Iraqi police engage insurgents
on Iranian border

MAYSAN PROVINCE – Iraqi Border Police intercepted approximately 20 anti-Iraq forces attempting to enter the country from Iran July 20, according to a multinational
forces report. Iraqi Border Police engaged the insurgent group with small arms fire about 90 kilometers north of Basrah. The insurgents briefly returned fire and then broke contact leaving weapons and equipment behind. Iraqi police found a significant amount of improvised explosive device making materials including 228 pounds of
TNT (24 boxes), 29 electric detonators, four explosively formed projectiles (shaped charges), electrical wire, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, one transmitter, two
modified passive infrared devices, seven batteries, four antennas, and 270 pounds of C4. No injuries or damages were reported.

Iraqi police and EOD find and disarm
bombs in Baqubah

BAQUBAH – Iraqi police located and assisted in clearing two suspected improvised explosive devices here July 20, according to a multinational forces report. Iraqi Police located one 155 mm artillery round with a remote firing device and one 60 mm mortar round wired for command detonation. In both instances, Iraqi Police secured
the immediate area while the IEDs were disarmed by an Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team. No injuries or damages were reported in either incident.

ISF capture bombs and weapons

MOSUL – Iraqi Army and police forces continue to disrupt anti-Iraq forces with planned cordon and search operations here July 20, according to a multinational forces report. Iraqi police located a cache consisting of six improvised explosive devices encased in concrete, one Italian landmine, and four IED detonators. Two suspected insurgents were detained. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team
destroyed the cache. Also in Mosul, Iraqi soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 1st
Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division confiscated four AK-47 automatic rifles, one assault rifle, one Mauser rifle, one pistol, passports and various papers. Three detainees
were transported to a nearby forward operating base for further questioning. No injuries or damages were reported in either operation.

Iraqi police graduate 177 from
advanced training courses

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi Police Service graduated 177 police officers from advanced and specialty courses at the Adnan Training Facility July 21, as part of the Iraqi government’s ongoing effort to train its security forces. The courses consist of Basic Criminal Investigations with 48 graduates, First Line Supervision with 30 graduates, Counter Terrorism Investigations with 41 graduates, Violent Crime Investigation with 30 graduates, and Interview and Interrogation with 28 graduates.
The Basic Criminal Investigation course covers topics such as theft, burglary, arson, robbery, sexual offenses, and homicide investigation. Participants also receive instruction and hands-on training in fingerprinting, photography, tool marks and plaster casting techniques. To date, 2,145 police officers have completed the Basic Criminal Investigations course. First Line Supervision focuses on major leadership areas for front line supervisors including human rights training, ethics and corruption, policing in a democracy, and interpersonal skills critical to effective leadership. To date, 448 students have graduated from this course. Counter Terrorism Investigations is designed for senior police officials who will be assigned to counter-terrorist activity investigation. The course will explain the FBI’s and
various branches in the US Justice Department’s efforts against terrorism activities both in the US and abroad. This course has graduated 195 police officers to date.
The Violent Crime Investigation course introduces participants to investigative techniques to be used in a variety of situations, but particularly in violent crimes including armed robbery, rape and murder. This course has graduated 475 students to date. The Interview and Interrogation course covers advanced interview and interrogation techniques and includes instruction on the preservation and protection of human rights, and the importance of ethical behavior during interviews and interrogations. To date, 498 students have completed this course. Officers who participated in these courses previously completed either a 10-week basic training course for new recruits or a three-week ‘transitional integration program’ course designed for prior-service officers.

Iraqi police receive code of conduct training

SULAYMANIYAH – Iraqi Police Service officers assigned to Camp O’Ryan received professional development instruction from Iraqi Police Liaison Officers on July 19, according to a multinational forces report. Iraqi Police Service officers were lectured on the use of force, confidentiality, obedience to orders, personal integrity, dedication to community, and discretion issues. Classroom discussion involved presenting the students with a variety of scenarios and assessing their reactions to each. Other topics covered included job performance, use of their official position as an Iraqi police officer, and general conduct issues.

Iraqi Wolf Brigade finds
stolen artifacts

BAGHDAD – A battalion from the Iraqi Wolf Brigade conducted raids in the Ameriyah District and Al Dora neighborhood early July 19. The Iraqi soldiers captured a suspected dealer of stolen artifacts and one terrorist. They recovered three possible artifacts buried under a pile of palm fronds. The detainee said he was acting as a middle man for a buyer and that the artifacts were worth $25,000 each. The dealer believed the items to be 2,000 to 5,000 years old and they may have been stolen from a Baghdad museum. In a separate raid, Company A, 4th Battalion, 64th Armored
Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd U.S. Infantry Division, working with Iraqi police from the Salhiya Police Station detained four terrorists. One of the detainees
was a mid-level terrorist cell leader with ties to Ansar Al Sunna. He was wanted for selling and smuggling Strella surface-to-air missiles, which could be used against Coalition forces aircraft. “Combining tips from the local populace and the work of
the well-trained Salhiya IPs, we were able to detain a prominent insurgent cell leader, wanted for weapons trafficking,” said U.S. Army Capt. Steve Wood, commander,
Company A. “This was another example of the Iraqi Security Forces and local leaders working together to make Iraq a safer place to live.” (4th Brigade Combat Team Public
Affairs)

Iraqi, U.S. Soldiers distribute
frozen chickens to local citizens

CAMP TIMERLAND – Iraqi Army and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers distributed frozen chickens to locals in the community July 12. Participating U.S. units were: 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 156th Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 156th Armored Regiment; 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment; 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment; and 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment. The 1-11th ACR and Iraqi Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Iraqi Army Brigade delivered 1,200 chickens to about 600 families in
Abu Mannaser in the western Abu Ghraib area. “The people of this area were very appreciative of the humanitarian assistance provided today,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Minh Nguyen, platoon leader, 1-11th ACR, from Victorville, Calif. “The Iraqi Army continues to become well-rehearsed in both tactical and humanitarian missions,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jim Blackburn, commander, 1-11th ACR, from Washington, Pa. “This humanitarian assistance operation will continue to build the relationship between the people and the Iraqi Army. It also discredits terrorists who are operating in that area and denying the people basic services.” (256th Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)

Iraqi, U.S. forces catch terror
suspects and carjackers

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers captured 18 terror suspects and killed a car thief who was suspected of stealing cars for terrorist organizations and in the capitol July 20. Fifteen of the 18 suspected terrorists were taken in during
a series of early-morning combat operations carried out by Iraqi Security Forces from the 1st Battalion, 4th Public Order Brigade and Coalition Forces in Baghdad. In another early-morning cordon-and-search mission, Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division teamed up with U.S. Soldiers to disrupt anti-Iraqi
forces operating in east Abu Ghraib. The Soldiers seized three terror suspects, rifles and magazines, and a rocketpropelled grenade sighting device. “Task Force Baghdad is committed to helping the Iraqis in Baghdad build a secure and peaceful future,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, TFB spokesperson. A Task Force Baghdad patrol in central Baghdad was flagged down by Iraqi citizens in the middle of the street. When the U.S. Soldiers stopped to see what was wrong, the two Iraqi citizens pointed to a car driving away and said their vehicle had been stolen. The patrol chased the car and fired warning shots to get the car to stop, but the vehicle sped up instead. When the Soldiers pursuing the car saw that the car’s occupants were armed, they opened fired and killed one robber and wounded the other. The patrol treated the wounded criminal at the site and he later admitted that he was part of a carjacking gang. The patrol brought the wounded robber to a military hospital for treatment and then into custody for further questioning. (Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs)

Iraqi soldiers locate car bomb
and wound AIF driver

HIT – Iraqi Army and Coalition forces conducted a successful cordon around a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device here July 18, according to a multinational forces report. After discovering the suspected VBIED, soldiers with the
2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division Iraqi Intervention Force and Company K, 3/25 U.S. Marines secured the area around the vehicle while they awaited the arrival of an
Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team. Suddenly, a young male approached the vehicle. The soldiers shouted for him to stop to no avail. An IIF soldier fired one 7.62 mm round wounding the man. A search of the man yielded wire cutters and a cell phone. While still at the scene, the wounded man admitted he was there to transport the VBIED. The wounded insurgent was evacuated for medical care. The VBIED was later cleared by the EOD team.

Joint raids lead to weapons

MOSUL – Iraqi Security and Coalition forces conducted a series of successful joint raids in and around Mosul July 18, according to a multinational forces report.
Mosul Police officers and elements of 1-24 U.S. Infantry Regiment discovered a weapons cache hidden in the floor of a chicken coop during an early morning operation. Officials found 26 surface-to-air missiles, 700 mortar rounds, 450 rocket-propelled grenades, and 150 57 mm artillery rockets. In a similarly successful raid, soldiers of the 1st Battalion 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division discovered a massive cache 50 kilometers south of Mosul. The cache of six 1000 pound bombs was found outside the town Qayyarah. No injuries or damages were reported.

Iraqi forces capture 17 terror
suspects in Baghdad raids

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces took 17 suspected terrorists, including four targeted individuals, into custody in a series of combat operations conducted in and around
Baghdad July 18. Iraqi soldiers from Company A, 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division captured all four of the targeted terrorists just after midnight in the Abu Ghraib area. Four hours later, Iraqi Security Forces from the 4th Iraqi Public Order Battalion and Iraqi Special Police Commandos working together in south Baghdad, seized nine more terror suspects and four AK-47 assault rifles. In another joint operation, soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division teamed up with 3rd Battalion, 15th U.S. Infantry Regiment to apprehend four more suspected terrorists during a raid against an anti-Iraqi force’s safe-house in northeast Baghdad. “Cooperation between our respective units has never been better,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Task Force Baghdad spokesperson. “Thousands of Iraqis continue to volunteer to join the military despite threats and assassinations. Throughout Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces are shouldering more and more of the responsibility for achieving stability and security in Iraq.” At around 8 a.m., an Iraqi citizen pointed out a roadside bomb to Task Force Baghdad Soldiers patrolling in west Baghdad. The Soldiers investigated and found wires leading to a bomb hidden in a pile of trash on the side of the road. A team of explosives experts safely detonated the bomb. Task Force Baghdad Soldiers found five more roadside bombs at various locations in the capital. (Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs)

Local citizens report AIF activity
to Iraqi soldiers on patrol

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army soldiers on patrol in northern Baghdad were approached by citizens worried about anti-Iraq forces activity in their neighborhood July 19, according to a multinational forces report. Soldiers with the 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division responded to reports from citizens about AIF
meetings being held in a nearby house. The soldiers conducted a hasty cordon and search and discovered one computer, one light machine gun, one AK-47 automatic
rifle, one Egyptian MP 5 automatic rifle, various papers and passports belonging to a group from Syria, and transfusion kits stored in a refrigerator. No suspects were found on the premises. No injuries or damages were reported.

Iraqis lead Soldiers to weapons

BAGHDAD – A group of Iraqi citizens stopped a Task Force Baghdad unit patrolling in southeast Baghdad July 15 and told the Soldiers they’d found some weapons. The patrol followed the Iraqis to the site and found two mortar tubes and three base plates, one rocket-propelled grenade launcher, 17 mortar rounds, 39 artillery rounds and 25 boxes of hand grenades. “These citizens did the right thing by reporting the weapons they found to the Soldiers so they could get rid of them before a terrorist could use them,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Task Force Baghdad spokesperson.
The patrol rewarded the Iraqis with a payment from the Commander’s Reward Program.
Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Baghdad officials continue to encourage all Iraqi citizens to report suspicious behavior by e-mailing aghdadtipshotline@yahoo.com or calling one of the TIPS hotlines at 07901737723 or 07901737727. (Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs)

Iraqi police capture suicide
bomber, foil attack

BAGHDAD – Iraqi police saved the lives of numerous mourners who were attending a funeral for children killed in a deadly attack that occurred July 13 in east Baghdad.
The Iraqi Policemen who were providing security at the funeral noticed a suspicious adult male approaching the funeral procession at about 3 p.m. July 16. The Iraqi police stopped the man, searched him, and discovered he was wearing a suicide vest. A team of explosives experts safely removed the vest before the terrorist could detonate it. No one was injured in the failed attack. “The Iraqi police showed incredible bravery. They noticed a suicide bomber and they subdued him before he
could detonate his ball bearing filled vest. The bomber was high on drugs and is being treated for the potential overdose,” said U.S. Army Col. Joseph DiSalvo, commander of US Forces in Rusafa (east Baghdad). “This is an incredibly heinous crime. The bomber, who is from Libya, came here to kill the grieving parents of the
children who were killed on Wednesday. I cannot imagine a worse crime,” DiSalvo said.
The terrorist is being detained and will eventually be turned over to the Iraqi Justice System. “I thank God for the Iraqi police; for stopping the terrorist
before he could do his evil deed. He is obviously a very confused and evil man who has aligned himself with the most evil and Godless men on this earth,” said an Iraqi
man who attended the funeral. (2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)

ISF takes down 26 suspects

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers killed three anti-Iraqi force members and captured 29 more in a series of combat operations conducted
in and around the capital July 17. The largest operation of the day was conducted by 2nd Battalion, Iraqi Special Police Commandos at 3 a.m. in the Kamaliya district of east Baghdad. In less than an hour-and-a-half, the Commandos raided 19 targets, captured 24 terror suspects, and seized AK-47 assault rifles, a machine gun and a sniper rifle. The Iraqi forces also found computer equipment and documents thought to contain plans for future attacks. In another early-morning operation, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers arrested a known weapons dealer at his house in the Thawra neighborhood of northeast Baghdad shortly after 2 a.m. The patrol also discovered an AK-47 assault rifle in the man’s home. Later, Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Iraqi Army Brigade and the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment teamed up to capture another terrorist who had been specifically targeted for his role in a series of attacks against Coalition forces and civilians in the Baghdad and
Mosul areas. “Offensive operations led by Iraqi Security Forces and supported by Coalition forces are taking the fight directly to the terrorists,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Task Force Baghdad spokesperson. “The ISF has made great
strides in the last year and they’re making tremendous progress against the insurgency.” (Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs)

Iraqi forces execute successful
raids in Tall Afar

TALL AFAR – Iraqi soldiers continued with Operation Veterans Forward and captured several terrorists in raids throughout Tall Afar July 18, according to a multinational
forces report. Soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division captured
numerous insurgents and discovered several weapons caches in the city on Sunday. Two suspected improvised explosive device trigger men, believed to have injured
a local man, were captured. In the western part of the city, six men were detained after their home was raided and over 300 artillery rounds were discovered. Local
citizens aided the soldiers in removing the rounds from the building, which were later destroyed. In the nearby village of Zagaytan, Iraqi police discovered
a collection of IED making materials ranging from rigged cell phones to crude explosives and blasting caps.

Comments

ShadowWar

on Jul 27, 2005

Now I know thats a lot to absord at one time, but if you look closely you may see something, a pattern that is starting to show. The Iraqi's are really beginning to take part in their own protection. These type of missions and actions are what lead Gen. Casey today to say that there is a good chance if things sta on the track they are that our troops may start returning/reducing the numbers in Iraq next year. That is GOOD news!

Of course there are those that hate President Bush so much, and have been crying about a quagmire, Vietnam, exit startegy, that will either have to say they were wrong (which we know will never happen) or they might combust from built up internal pressure. Or they will just say they knew this all along. Whatever they do they will not deter what is happening, and that is a free Iraqi people taking over their own country and taking over their own lives. What a beautiful thing.

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