Saturday, November 12
STEEL CURTAIN UPDATE
| November 12, 2005 CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – Approximately 1,000 Iraqi Army Soldiers and 2,500 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors with Regimental Combat Team – 2 continue clearing the town of Karabilah of terrorists and weapons in Operation al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain). The operation began Nov. 5 to restore Iraqi sovereign control along the Iraq-Syria border and destroy the al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating throughout the al Qaim region. Clearing of Karabilah is slow and dangerous work for the Iraqi Soldiers and Marines because of the high concentration of hidden bombs in the city. Since the operation began seven days ago, 67 mines and improvised explosive devices have been discovered. These bombs are frequently placed in trash piles and buried in the soft dirt. On some occasions entire homes are rigged with explosives. Iraqi Soldiers and Marines today found a home booby-trapped with a 60-pound explosive charge and 10 large explosive rounds. Due to the danger posed by these explosives, they were destroyed in place. Thirty weapons caches have been found and destroyed during Operation Steel Curtain. Many of these cache sites contained the materials for making IEDs. Artillery and mortar rounds are commonly used, along with a triggering device, in the construction of roadside bombs and car bombs while booby-trapping an entire home is a new terrorist tactic. Now that the Iraqi Army and Marines have secured Husaybah from al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists, residents are returning to their homes. The displaced persons camp guarded and run by the Iraqi Army to provide food, water and shelter for Husaybah’s displaced citizens for the last week is emptying and is scheduled to close soon. Power and utilities are being restored throughout Husaybah. Local workers are repairing the city’s power lines and electricity is estimated to be restored to the majority of the city within 24 hours. Telephone service was restored yesterday. The offensive is part of the larger Operation Sayaid (Hunter), designed to prevent al Qaeda in Iraq from operating in the Euphrates River Valley and throughout al Anbar and to establish a permanent Iraqi Army presence in the al Qaim region. Weblog LINK |
SCUZBALL MORTAR TEAM CAPTURED, 1 KILLED
| November 12, 2005 TIKRIT, Iraq – A terrorist mortar team was captured and one terrorist was killed early Nov. 12 as they prepared to attack a checkpoint near Baqubah. The terrorists had a mortar tube set up to fire when a patrol from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade moved into the area. The terrorists engaged the Soldiers with rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire, but were quickly overwhelmed by the patrol. Six terrorists were captured along with their mortar tube, six mortar shells, the RPG launcher and four RPG rounds. A seventh terrorist was killed in the fire fight. Weblog LINK |
AFGHAN MAIN ROAD UPGRADES NEARLY FINISHED
| November 11, 2005 BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Two major road improvement projects in Afghanistan , costing more than $3.5 million, are near completion. The first of these projects, which connects the eastern Afghanistan cities of Sharana and Orgun-E, is scheduled for completion the first week of December. This road is more than 55-kilometers long and costs an estimated $1.9 million. Workers widened the road, leveled the surface and installed drainage systems. The second road project, also in southern Afghanistan , connects Qalat and Shinkay. It should be completed in December at a cost of more than $1.5 million. This 64-kilometer road improvement project also includes the installation of drainage systems, a new layer of gravel and widening the road’s surface. More than 600 Afghan contractors and laborers have worked on the two projects. “While this will improve the security situation for the government of Afghanistan , it’s important to note that there will be numerous other benefits associated with these roads,” said Army Col. Michael Flanagan, Task Force Sword commander. “Economic opportunities are created when these roads are constructed, farmers can find winter markets for their goods and merchants can seek more competitive prices for their products. People in these areas will also find that emergency service vehicles and personnel are better able to respond to different situations. Roads that are navigable and are open through all kinds of weather are a keystone to prosperity and security.” Weblog LINK |
SUICIDE BOMBER HIDEYHOLE RAIDED, SCUZBALL(S) KILLED
| November 11, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces, acting on multiple intelligence sources and tips from local citizens, raided three suspected terrorist safe houses Nov. 10 to capture or kill members of a suspected Al Qaeda in Iraq suicide bomber cell operating in the Baghdad area. The safe house was suspected to be an operational base for a suicide bomber cell with an alleged foreign fighter who was to carry out an attack in the near future. During the raid, Coalition forces killed seven terrorists and detained five. The terrorists were armed with rocket propelled grenades, machine guns, and explosives. One of the armed terrorists killed in the raid was also wearing a suicide bomber vest. Weblog LINK |
Thursday, November 10
STEEL CURTAIN MOVES TO KARABILAH
| November 10, 2005 CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq –Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. Forces have begun clear and hold operations in the city of Karabilah, approximately two kilometers east of Husaybah, as Operation al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) enters into its sixth day. The new phase of the operation is intended to set conditions for a permanent security presence within the city. Patrols and targeted raids are also being conducted in Husaybah to root out any remaining al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists. Intelligence indicates some terrorists might have abandoned Husaybah once Iraqi Army soldiers and U.S. Forces began clearing the city and fled into Karabilah. Residents of Husaybah who were staying in the temporary lodging facility, established by the Iraqi Army, are now beginning to return to their homes. Husaybah is now secure enough for its displaced residents, most of whom fled the city because of the tribal fighting that was taking place against the terrorists, to start returning. Since entering into Karabilah yesterday afternoon, Coalition and Iraqi forces have met with limited resistance in the form of sporadic small arms fire and improvised explosive devices. Two suspected car bombs were also discovered and when engaged by Coalition Forces, large secondary explosions were observed, confirming the presence of ordnance in both vehicles. At approximately 3 p.m. Nov. 9, Coalition Forces discovered a house wired with numerous explosives. Fifteen explosive rounds were found inside the walls and a 40 lb. charge was discovered in the floor of the building. An explosive ordnance disposal unit was dispatched to the site and destroyed the ordnance in place. The operation is the second in Karabilah. Operation Rohme (Spear) took place in the city last June. The operation was notable for the torture chamber that was found in an abandoned house that contained two Iraqi men who were found chained to the floor. The men had been tortured for refusing to cooperate with al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists who operated throughout the city. They were treated by medical personnel and released after recovering from their wounds. Unlike Operation Spear, Operation Steel Curtain will create a permanent presence in the city comprised of Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Operation Steel Curtain’s goal is to restore Iraqi sovereign control along the Iraqi-Syrian border and destroy the al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating throughout the al Qaim region. The offensive is part of Operation Sayaid (Hunter), designed to deny terrorists the ability to operate in the Euphrates River Valley and to establish a permanent security presence along the Syrian border. Weblog LINK |
AFGHAN SCUZBALLS SET UP AMBUSH THEN GET KILLED, NOBODY HURT
| November 10, 2005 BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army and U.S. forces killed four enemy fighters who had ambushed an Afghan National Police patrol yesterday. The police unit reported taking small-arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire from a nearby ridgeline from approximately 10 enemy fighters. The police unit called for assistance from a nearby Afghan National Army and U.S. patrol. Afghan and U.S. forces maneuvered toward the enemy position killing four individuals and causing the rest to flee. In addition to the four enemy killed, Afghan and U.S. forces seized two motorcycles and two rocket-propelled grenade launchers. There were no Afghan or U.S. forces injured in the attack. Weblog LINK |
GRUNTS NAB 5 SCUZBALLS NEAR BAYJI
| November 10, 2005 BAYJI, Iraq – A Task Force Band of Brothers patrol detained five terrorists after witnessing two of them attempting to detonate an improvised explosive device near Bayji early on the night of Nov. 9. Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division were patrolling west of Bayji when they identified two enemy personnel engaged in suspicious activity and pursued them to a local residence. Once inside, the Soldiers discovered weapons and over $6,000 in U.S. currency. Earlier in the day a coalition patrol in the same area was attacked by an IED. No Soldiers were injured in that attack. Weblog LINK |
IRAQI, U.S. FORCES NAB 32 SCUZBALLS
| November 10, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi security forces and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers conducted cordon-and-search operations in eastern Baghdad, detaining terror suspects and seizing contraband Nov. 9-10. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment and Iraqi forces from 1st Battalion, 2nd Commando Brigade conducted a cordon and search in Horajeb Nov. 9. The Iraqi-U.S. team detained 30 suspects for further questioning. One day later, taking the enemy by surprise, Soldiers from 1st Bn., 184th Inf. swooped in on the target area west of the Tigris River using four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Once on the ground, Soldiers began their search of 18 houses and caught two terror suspects with contraband which included five AK-47 assault rifles with three magazines, one pistol, and one shotgun. There were also bomb-making materials, including four doorbells with wire and one washing machine timer. Weblog LINK |
SCUZBALL COUNTERFIETER NABBED IN BAGHDAD
| November 10, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured a senior member of a terrorist media cell in Baghdad Oct. 23. Coalition Forces, acting on multiple intelligence sources and tips from concerned citizens, raided a suspected al Qaeda in Iraq safe house in Baghdad. Captured in the raid was Amjed Ammin Mahmud (aka. Abu Hassan), a senior terrorist media cell member and document forger for senior terrorist leaders in Baghdad. Abu Hassan was a senior leader in an al Qaeda in Iraq media cell operating in Baghdad. Initially, his duties were to take videos and digitize them to CD’s for distribution to various terrorist groups. These videos would be used to recruit terrorists and foreign fighters, as well as to provide information on potential targets to other terrorists. They also would be downloaded to various Jihadist Web sites as a means of wider dissemination. Eventually, with the use of his computer, his duties evolved to making false identifications. Hassen admits to making weapon permits, identification cards and press credentials for various al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists as well as the senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist leadership in Baghdad. These identification cards would be used by terrorists to conceal their true identities if stopped by Iraqi security and Coalition forces. They also provided a way to openly carry weapons while conducting terrorist activities. These activities could include attacks, kidnappings, and murders. Additionally, the false press badges would allow terrorists access to situations where they could reconnoiter targets while posing as news media representatives. That access also allowed them to pose as reporters while filming the aftermath of terrorist attacks, which they then would use as terrorist propaganda. Hassen has also been linked to Dr. Mushin, a kidnapping cell leader and weapons dealer who was captured in June. Abu Hassen admits to coordinating with Dr. Mushin the procurement of weapons for use by various terrorist cells operating in Baghdad. Weblog LINK |
ROADSIDE BOMBS DISGUISED AS COW CARCASS AND BOXES, BLOWN UP,
| November 10, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq –Coalition air forces conducted air strikes against two large improvised explosive devices near Ramadi early Nov. 10. At one location, Coalition forces while conducting routine operations in the area, noticed two large suspicious boxes thought to be improvised explosive devices on the side of the road. Coalition forces decided to destroy it in place. At a nearby location, a large dead animal was seen on the side of the road. The animal had obvious bulges in the stomach area, and looked like it had been killed and disemboweled recently. Assuming this to be an IED, Coalition forces again decided to destroy it in place. The use of precision targeted munitions to destroy the IED’s and the timing of the strike mitigated the risk to civilians in the local area. Weblog LINK |
2 KEY FOREIGN SCUZBALL FACILITATORS TAKE THE DIRT NAP
| November 10,2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces identified two al Qaeda leaders killed by an air strike in Husaybah Nov. 2. Coalition Forces conducted a series of raids on suspected terrorist and foreign fighter safe houses to capture or kill terrorists operating in the town of Husaybah. During the raids, Coalition Forces destroyed two safe houses with air strikes using precision guided munitions. Coalition Forces can now confirm the death of two key al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist leaders who were killed during those air strikes. These terrorist leaders operated in the Husaybah and Al Qaim region. They are: Asadallah, a senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist leader and foreign fighter facilitator in the Husaybah area. Asadallah commanded several terrorist and foreign fighter cells in the Husaybah, and al Qaim region. Asadallah also coordinated the funneling and distribution of foreign fighters from Syria into the Husaybah area as well as their employment as suicide bombers. His foreign fighters were responsible for numerous suicide bombings in the region. He also directed, planned and executed many of the terrorist attacks on Iraqi security and coalition forces. Abu Zahra, a close associate of the current al Qaeda in Iraq Emir of Husaybah. As a close personal friend and confidant to the Emir of Husaybah he acted as an assistant, helping run the day to day activities of the terrorist organization. Zahra took an active role in planning and coordinating attacks against Iraqi security and Coalition forces. He additionally was reported to provide logistical support for various terrorist cells in the area. This support included providing weapons and ammunition, arranging housing, and money for foreign fighters and terrorists operating in the area. Weblog LINK |
Wednesday, November 9
GUNS N' AMMO FOUND, BLOWN UP, 6 SCUZBALLS NABBED IN FALLUJAH
| November 9, 2005 CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq –Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division partnered with the U.S. Marines from Regimental Combat Team – 8, discovered a weapons cache and detained six terrorists during cordon and search operations in northeast Fallujah early Nov. 9. The weapons captured included 30 mortar rounds of various sizes; bomb-making material, to include cordless phones and cell phones used to remotely detonate improvised explosive devices, and a significant amount of wire; propaganda-producing equipment with multiple audio and video tapes; and small arms, to include rocket launchers, and approximately 500 rounds of ammunition and 23 grenades. A suicide vest and plastic explosives were also found in the cache, a weapon typically used for targeting large groups of civilians. The weapons were destroyed in a controlled detonation near the site. Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. Forces continue to capture weapons, bomb-making material and propaganda material from the insurgency, further degrading their ability to operate against Iraqi citizens and Coalition Forces in Fallujah. Weblog LINK |
CENTRAL-SOUTH TROOPS SEIZE GUNS N' AMMO
| November 9, 2005 Camp Echo, Iraq – Multi-National Division Central-South units along with Iraqi security forces seized a weapons cache in Diwaniyah province Nov 9. The cache contained 27 120mm mortar grenades, two rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 63 hand grenades, 15 tank rounds and 5 kilograms of high-explosive material. Weblog LINK |
BIG PILE OF GUNS N' AMMO FOUND BY PATROL
| November 9, 2005 TAJI, Iraq -- Task Force Baghdad Soldiers found a large weapons cache during a patrol northwest of Baghdad Nov. 5. Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division found the stockpile of various munitions buried near a house they searched during the patrol. The Soldiers uncovered more than 300 152-millimeter and 155-millimeter artillery shells, more than 100 120-millimeter rounds, dozens of rifles, hundreds of rounds of small-arms and large-caliber ammunition, and various fuses and weapons sights. Weblog LINK |
VICE ADM. NICHOLS RETURNS TO CENTCOM
| November 8, 2005 TAMPA, Fla. – Navy Vice Adm. David C. Nichols Jr. assumed duties as Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., today. Nichols comes to USCENTCOM after serving as the Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet; Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command; and Commander, Combined Maritime Force in Bahrain. Following graduation from the University of Tennessee, Nichols was commissioned in the U.S. Army through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He is a graduate of Army Ranger School. After lateral transfer to the Navy and Naval Flight Officer training he reported for training in the A-6 Intruder. Nichols has commanded at the squadron, Carrier Air Wing, and Carrier Group level. He also commanded the Navy’s “Top Gun” school, the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center. He previously served at CENTCOM as the Deputy Director of Operations from June of 1998 to 2000. He has deployed in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM. He has 5,000 flight hours in various models of Navy aircraft. His military decorations include Defense Superior Service, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service, Air, Navy Commendation, and Navy Achievement medals. He was a recipient of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Naval Flight Officer of the Year award as a Lieutenant Commander and the Senator Henry M. Jackson Memorial Leadership award as a Commander. Weblog LINK |
OPERATION STEEL CURTAIN: SCUZBALL BUTT CONTINUES TO BE KICKED
| November 8, 2005 CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. Marines, Sailors and Soldiers are in the fourth day of fighting along the Iraq-Syria border in the town of Husaybah. The objectives of Operation al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) are to restore Iraqi sovereign control along the Iraqi-Syrian border and destroy the al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating throughout al Qaim region. Coalition and Iraqi forces continue to detain terrorists as they fight their way through the city. A number of the detainees have been foreign fighters who originated from various countries within Asia and Africa. The majority of foreign fighters come to Iraq through Syria where they cross the border into Iraq and meet with members of al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), the leadership of which is also comprised of mostly foreign nationals. Until Operation Steel Curtain, Husaybah was an important command and control center where these foreign fighters were trained and dispatched throughout the country to wage war against the Iraqi people and Coalition Forces. There are approximately 180 men being detained for questioning about suspected ties to the insurgency. The overall percentage of foreign fighters that make up that total is unavailable at this time. On the southern outskirts of Husaybah Nov.8, Marines discovered a corpse of a man who had been bound, gagged and shot through the head. The identity of the man is unknown. The scout platoons assigned to the combat units clearing the city, commonly known as Desert Protectors, continue to assist both Iraqi and U.S. forces. Because of their familiarity with Husaybah, the region, local tribes and dialects, these scouts are able to pick out suspicious individuals for further questioning. Those individuals not associated with the insurgency will be released. This is the first operation in which these locally recruited and specially trained scout platoons have been employed. As the number of Iraqi Army Soldiers grows in al Anbar, more locally recruited Soldiers will swell their ranks. Currently, there are more than 15,000 Iraqi Army Soldiers serving in al Anbar. Over the past four days, Iraqi Army Soldiers and Marines have found numerous weapons caches in Husaybah, 17 of which were substantial in size. Weapons, munitions and bomb-making material for the construction of deadly roadside and car bombs have been some of the more commonly found items at the cache sites. One of the caches discovered in central Husaybah today consisted of large amounts of medical supplies and rocket propelled grenades and launchers. The offensive is part of Operation Sayaid (Hunter), designed to deny al Qaeda in Iraq the ability to operate in the Euphrates River Valley and to establish a permanent security presence along the Syrian border. Weblog LINK |
Tuesday, November 8
U.S. ADDS 200 MEDICAL PERSONNEL TO PAK QUAKE RELIEF EFFORT
| November 8, 2005 Disaster Assistance Center, Pakistan – Doctors, nurses, and support personnel from elements of the Third Marine Logistics Group will move from Chaklala Air Base, Islamabad to Shinkiari in the Northwest Frontier Province tomorrow to begin providing medical care to earthquake survivors in the remote region. The activation of this second U.S. military medical facility brings significant medical capability in addition to the 212th Mobile Army Hospital that began providing medical care in Muzaffarabad on Oct. 26. Approximately 200 Marines and Sailors will begin providing services soon to those affected by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that devastated the mountainous area Oct. 8. The Group’s medical detachment, a reinforced surgical company from Okinawa, Japan, consists of ten doctors, six nurses, and 40 corpsmen. The detachment, the 3rd Battalion’s Bravo Surgical Company, provides a 60-bed facility and is capable of providing surgery, primary, dental, and in-patient services for a wide range of injuries and illnesses. Weblog LINK |
U.S. M.A.S.H TREATS 1,000th PAK
| November 8, 2005 U.S. Disaster Assistance Center Pakistan – A U.S. military field hospital in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan treated its 1,000th patient the evening of Nov. 6. The 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital deployed to Muzaffarabad as part of the United States’ support to the Pakistani-led relief effort resulting from the devastating earthquake Oct. 8 that caused heavy damage in the Kashmir and Northwest Frontier Provinces, Pakistan. The hospital deployed to the heart of the earthquake zone from its base in Germany and began seeing patients on Oct. 25. The facility is capable of performing simultaneous surgeries and has a capacity of 24 intensive care unit beds with 60 additional beds for those requiring less critical care. It also has lab, x-ray, pharmacy and other capabilities similar to that of any typical U.S. hospital. The 1000th patient, a 28-year-old male Pakistani citizen, was treated and released for relatively minor medical issues. In addition to treating patients suffering severe injuries directly resulting from the earthquake, the MASH is filling a vital gap by providing medical care to the local population, as nearly all of the existing medical facilities in the region were destroyed or damaged in the disaster. Weblog LINK |
GRUNTS SEE SCUZBALL DIGGING, FOLLOW, FIND 6 PILES OF GUNS N'AMMO
| November 8, 2005 TIKRIT, Iraq – A patrol operating near Logistics Support Area Anaconda, southeast of Balad, discovered six separate weapons caches after observing an insurgent digging near a road Sunday afternoon. The man spotted the patrol and tried to cover up the hole and walk away, but the patrol was able to stop him and check the area he was digging in, finding three separate caches. The Soldiers escorted the man to his home where three additional caches were found. Among the items unearthed were more than 20 rocket-propelled grenades, four mortar rounds and two artillery shells. The patrol called in an explosive ordinance disposal team which destroyed the weapons in controlled detonations. Weblog LINK |
3 STAR GENERAL PROMOTED, WILL BE NEXT CENTCOM BOSS
| November 7, 2005 Tampa, Fla. –The next commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) was promoted to the rank of general at a ceremony held today at U.S. Central Command headquarters. Army Gen. John P. Abizaid, commander of USCENTCOM, presided over the ceremony where Air Force Lt. Gen. Lance L. Smith pinned on his fourth star. President George W. Bush nominated Gen. Smith to the rank of general and to command U.S. Joint Forces Command. The general will assume his new duties Thursday afternoon in a ceremony on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Headquartered in Norfolk, Va., USJFCOM is one of nine unified commands in the Department of Defense. The general will oversee the command's roles in transformation, experimentation, joint training, interoperability and force provision and management as outlined in the Department of Defense's Unified Command Plan. USJFCOM is a force of more than 1.16 million dedicated men and women, spanning USJFCOM's four service component commands and eight subordinate activities. USJFCOM personnel include members from each branch of the U.S. military, civil servants, contract employees, and consultants. NATO has also agreed to appoint Smith as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander-Transformation. Gen. Smith has served as the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command since October 2003. A graduate of Virginia Tech, he is a native of Washington D.C., and graduated from Officer's Training School in 1970. His career has included more than seven years in command including 7th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces and Air Component Commander, Republic of Korea and U.S. Combined Forces Command Korea. The general also served two tours at the Pentagon and was commandant of the NATO School at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, commandant of the Air War College and commander of the Air Force Doctrine Center. The general has flown more than 165 combat missions in Southeast and Southwest Asia in the A-1 Skyraider and the F-15E Strike Eagle. A command pilot, he has more than 3,000 hours in the T-33 Shooting Star, T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, A-1, A-7 Corsair, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-111F Aardvark, F-15E and F-16 Falcon. Weblog LINK |
Monday, November 7
36 SCUZBALLS, 3 IN DRAG, KILLED IN HUSAYBAH
| November 7, 2005 CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. Marines, Sailors and Soldiers are in the third day of fighting along the Iraq-Syria border in the town of Husaybah. The objectives of Operation al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) are to restore Iraqi sovereign control along the Iraqi-Syrian border and destroy the al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating throughout al Qaim region. Iraqi Army Soldiers shot and killed three terrorists dressed in women’s clothing near the entrance to the safety zone established for displaced persons. The trio brandished weapons as they neared the checkpoint the Iraqi Soldiers were manning, but were unable to use them before being killed by the Soldiers. Iraqi Soldiers identified the terrorists as foreign fighters. The three terrorists were trying to hide among the women and children and gain access to the area for residents temporarily displaced. Armed terrorists used a similar tactic at a police checkpoint Nov. 5 in the town of Buhriz, 35 miles north of Baghdad. While the terrorists posed as women, they killed six police officers and wounded many civilians. Some Husaybah residents have sought safety from the fighting in a vacant housing district in Husaybah where the Iraqi Army Soldiers established facilities for residents temporarily displaced by the operation. “In addition to urban combat operations, the Iraqi Army Soldiers are supporting humanitarian assistance operations in the western part of the city providing food and relief supplies for some 800 displaced civilians,” said Lt. Col. Christopher C. Starling, operations officer, Regimental Combat Team -2. “At a checkpoint yesterday, outside the city, residents offered information to Iraqi Army Soldiers leading to the capture of individuals and weapons caches.” Iraqi Soldiers and Marines clearing the city continue to be attacked by small groups of terrorists. This morning the body of a dead terrorist was found in a school. The corpse was booby trapped with a hand grenade and set to explode when the body was moved. Also, a fully armed and functional rocket-propelled grenade launcher was found in the same classroom. There have been four incidents of al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists using mosques and at least one school to launch attacks on Iraqi Army Soldiers and Marines. Terrorists are using sensitive and critical infrastructure as protection from Coalition and Iraqi Army counterattacks. Though, Marines use proportionate force in responding to attacks it does not diminish their right to self defense from any attacks. The combined force, 1,000 Iraqi Army Soldiers including local Sunni Soldiers recruited from the al Qaim region and 2,500 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors are clearing the city, house by house, discovering weapons caches, terrorist propaganda and improvised bombs. The arms, munitions, bomb-making material, artillery and mortar shells converted to homemade bombs found in these cache sites continue to validate suspicions that terrorists used al Qaim as a safe haven. “Iraqi Soldiers are fighting side by side with their Marine counterparts in the streets and on the rooftops,” said Starling. Iraqi Army units partnered with Marines from Regimental Combat Team-2 will provide a joint presence in Husaybah after the successful clearing of the city. Previous operations between Iraqi Army units integrated with Marines and Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Marine Division have established a persistent joint presence in the cities of Hit, Haditha, Barwana, Haqlaniyah, Sa’dah, Rawah, Amiriyah and Ferris. Thirty-six terrorists are confirmed killed during the operation. There are no reports of civilian casualties. The offensive is part of Operation Sayaid (Hunter), designed to deny al Qaeda in Iraq the ability to operate in the Euphrates River Valley and to establish a permanent security presence along the Syrian border. Weblog LINK |
U.S. GRUNTS CHARGED WITH PUNCHING SCUZBALLS
| November 7, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Five U.S. Soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment were charged Nov. 5 with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice related to allegations of detainee abuse. The allegations stem from an incident on Sept. 7 in which three detainees were allegedly punched and kicked by the Soldiers as they were awaiting movement to a detention facility. Upon discovery of the alleged abuse, officials immediately launched an investigation, which ultimately led to the charges being preferred. All allegations of abuse are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly, and appropriate action is taken based on the findings of the investigation. Weblog LINK |
2 MID LEVEL SCUZBALLS KILLED IN HUSAYBAH ARE IDENTIFIED
| November 7, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq – As reported Oct. 31, Coalition forces acting on multiple intelligence sources and tips from concerned citizens, conducted a series of raids on suspected terrorist and foreign fighter safe houses to capture or kill terrorists operating in and near the towns of Karabilah and Ubaydi. During the raids, Coalition forces destroyed safe houses with air strikes using precision guided munitions. Coalition forces can now confirm the death of two key al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist leaders who were killed during those air strikes. These terrorists operated in the Husaybah, Karabilah, Ubaydi, and Al Qaim region. They are: Abu Umar, a senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist leader and foreign fighter facilitator who was the commander of several terrorist cells in the Ubaydi, Husaybah, and al Qaim region. Sources report that he had just replaced Abu Asil who was killed in a coalition air strike a few days prior. He assisted Abu Asil in the smuggling of foreign fighters in the to al Qaim region. He also directed, planned and executed many of the terrorist attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces, to include VBIED and IED attacks. Abu Hamza, was a senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell leader who was the commander of several terrorist cells in the Husaybah and Karabilah areas. Sources report that he was also a close confidant of the al Qaeda in Iraq military commander in Husaybah. He also planned and executed many of the terrorist attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces in the region, to include VBIED, IED, mortar and direct attacks. It was reported that he and his terrorist cells were also responsible for recent terrorist attacks against Camp Gannon, in Husaybah. Weblog LINK |
3 SCUZBALLS NABBED, 18 PILES OF GUNS N' AMMO FOUND, BLOWN UP
| November 7, 2005 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division discovered a large weapons cache during combat operations south of Baghdad International Airport Nov. 4. Members of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment discovered the cache around 8 p.m. The search revealed more weapons and munitions in a total of 18 different caches before concluding at 5 p.m. Nov. 5. Three terror suspects were detained for further questioning. The weapons cache included 90 82-millimeter mortar shells, 40 hand grenades, 22 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, eight RPG launchers, seven rockets, four 155-millimeter artillery rounds, four 60-millimeter mortar systems, three AK-47 assault rifles, two automatic grenade launchers, two mortar sights, two sacks of mortar propellant charges, two pipe bombs, one 120-millimeter mortar round, one case of 7.62-millimeter ammunition, one improvised rocket launcher, 800 grams of TNT, 300 feet of detonation cord, bomb-making materiel, 25 ski masks, and four sets of body armor with protective plates. An explosives ordnance disposal team later destroyed the cache through controlled detonation procedures. Weblog LINK |
PILE OF GUNS N' AMMO FOUND, BLOWN UP
| November 6, 2005 TIKRIT, Iraq – A Task Force Band of Brothers patrol near Forward Operating Base Anaconda discovered two weapons caches containing timers, watches and other items commonly used in constructing IEDs early Nov. 5. The seizure also yielded nearly 30 large caliber artillery shells, more than a dozen rockets, five rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a mortar tube, a machine gun and small arms ammunition. An explosive ordinance disposal team collected the weapons and conducted a controlled detonation of the shells and rockets. Weblog LINK |
IRAQIS BARRED FROM SHRINE BY HUSSEIN PRAY AT SITE, FINALLY
| November 6, 2005 TIKRIT, Iraq – More than 40 local Shia Turkomans marked the end of Ramadan by praying at a Shia shrine and cemetery located on Forward Operating Base Warrior near Kirkuk Nov. 1. The visit was arranged by chaplains from the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division after receiving a request from a local Shia Turkoman imam. The day was viewed as a way to build trust and understanding between the local community and the recently arrived Soldiers of the brigade, according to Chaplain (Maj.) Clyde Scott, the 1st BCT chaplain, who hopes to conduct future visits. The site, which is filled with burial mounds and tombstones thousands of years old, had been off limits to the local citizens under the reign of Saddam Hussein. Weblog LINK |
