Pat Dollard | Young Americans

MNF-I:

Coalition operations continue to degrade al-Qaeda in Iraq network

BAGHDAD — Eleven suspected insurgents were detained and 49 buildings were cleared Oct. 16, during Operation Belleau Wood II, an intensive search north of Salman Pak to capture or kill al-Qaeda and insurgents operating in the area.

“Acting on local tips, we were able to disrupt an al-Qaeda IED (improvised explosive device) cell,” said 1st Lt. Clifford Cieslak, from Pasadena, Md., the fire support officer for Company A, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment.

Leaders are optimistic that the capture of the cell will allow Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and Iraqi Security Forces to better secure the area and allow the local population to continue improving governmental functions, Cieslak explained.

Soldiers from Company A, 1-15 Inf. Regt., detained the men after they were identified as possible insurgents responsible for attacks against the 3rd HBCT. IED materials, two AK-47 assault rifles, a shotgun and ammunition were found during the search.

Coalition forces also captured a wanted individual during an operation west of Tikrit who is believed to be an associate of several terrorist leaders operating throughout the Tigris River Valley. The suspect is allegedly responsible for the movement of weapons from outside of Iraq to safe houses in the area. As Coalition forces arrived at the target area, the wanted individual surrendered to the ground force and was detained without incident.

In southern Baghdad, Coalition forces captured another wanted individual during an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq member allegedly involved in improvised explosive device and car-bombing attacks. Reports indicate the suspect is an associate of a terrorist believed to have transported messages from Abu Usama al-Tunisi, the former southern belt terrorist leader killed during a Coalition forces operation Sept. 25 (SEE MNF-I RELEASE A070928c, “Coalition Forces kill likely successor to Abu Ayyub al-Masri,” dated Sept. 28, 2007). The captured individual is also believed to have knowledge of foreign terrorists and senior al-Qaeda members operating in the Arab Jabour area and southern Baghdad. In addition to the targeted individual, one other suspect was detained on site. In another operation in the capital city, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists while targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader involved in attacks on Coalition forces in the Arab Jabour area.

West of Ramadi, Coalition forces detained four suspects while targeting a member of a foreign terrorist facilitation network that channels extremists into Iraq. The targeted individual is reportedly a close associate of several senior al-Qaeda members operating outside of Iraq, one of whom is allegedly responsible for facilitating finances across the border and transporting messages to senior terrorist leaders. The individual also allegedly has ties to other al-Qaeda in Iraq financiers in the region.

South of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces detained nine suspected terrorists during two coordinated operations. Eight suspected terrorists were detained while Coalition forces were targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders operating in the city’s terrorist network. Coalition forces detained another suspect while targeting an alleged associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader responsible for the Tarmiyah sector of the northern belt. Intelligence reports indicate the network is involved with car-bombing, improvised explosive device attacks and the facilitation of foreign terrorists.

Farther north in Mosul, Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists while targeting an individual believed to be a key logistical provider for all of al-Qaeda in Iraq. Intelligence reports also indicate the individual has allegedly provided transport for senior terrorists operating in the region.

“We continue to clear and hold areas where the terrorists think they can hide,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Al-Qaeda in Iraq will find no safe haven from our operations to capture their leadership and dismantle their networks.”