American Forces Press Service
Aug. 5, 2008 - Coalition and Iraqi forces killed one enemy fighter, wounded two more and detained 21 suspected terrorists during recent operations in Iraq, military officials said. Today in northern and central Iraq, coalition forces captured 15 suspected terrorists during separate operations in Baghdad, Mosul, Samarra and Beiji.
U.S. troops near Mosul detained two alleged al-Qaida associates and four other suspects. The two suspected associates are believed to be part of an al-Qaida network south of the city in Sharqat, officials said.
Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists in Salahuddin province, including an alleged al-Qaida leader in Samarra. The alleged leader reportedly supervises attacks in and around the city. The other suspects were detained during operations in Beiji, officials said.
In two separate operations in Baghdad, coalition forces captured three suspected terrorists. One suspect and his associate are believed to be conspirators connected with foreign-fighter facilitators outside of the country. The other suspect reportedly is linked to a car-bombing network in the city, officials said.
In operations yesterday:
-- Iraqi police killed a suspected Iranian-trained "special groups" criminal and wounded two others in Baghdad's Rusafa district after a drive-by shooting on the New Baghdad police station. Police officers returned fire, eventually causing the vehicle to flip. All three individuals were taken to the Kindi Hospital in Baghdad, officials said.
-- Iraqi special operations forces captured five alleged al-Qaida members in Khalis, just north of Baqouba. One of the suspects is believed to be a financier and intelligence manager for al-Qaida. The other four reportedly are believed to manufacture and emplace homemade bombs, officials said.
-- Coalition troops found two weapons caches in Baghdad after acting on tips from local citizens. The caches consisted of two anti-tank grenades, two rocket-propelled grenades, a mortar and a homemade bomb, officials said.
In operations Aug. 3, Iraqi security forces captured a suspected Iranian-trained special groups criminal in Baghdad's Rashid district. The suspect allegedly is responsible for numerous attacks against coalition and Iraqi force, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Showing posts with label terrorists. Show all posts
Showing posts with label terrorists. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Monday, August 04, 2008
Bush Praises Troops for Helping Others 'Realize Blessing of Free Society'
By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 4, 2008 - President Bush praised troops for their efforts to help others "realize the blessing of a free society" during remarks today to servicemembers in Alaska. Stopping at Eielson Air Force Base ahead of his scheduled trip to Asia, Bush addressed a group of airmen and soldiers, which included one of the first Army brigades to serve an extended 15-month deployment in Iraq.
"It's ... in our national interest to help others realize the blessings of a free society, so that when we look back at the initial chapters of the 21st century we will say we've done our duty; we defended the United States of America, and we laid the foundation for peace to come," he said.
In addition to praising Alaska Air National Guardsmen, the president thanked the more 200 airmen from the base currently deployed around the world, including many in the Middle East, and expressed gratitude for their families' sacrifice.
"Their service in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere is making this nation safer," he said. "And for the family members of those airmen: God bless you, and thank you for standing with your loved one."
Among soldiers in the audience were members of the Task Force 49 Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The unit was one of the first to spend 15 months in Iraq after Army tours were extended from 12 to 15 months in April 2007.
Soon after the extension took effect, however, Pentagon civilian and military officials urged a return to 12-month deployments. Last week, citing a four-year low in violence in Iraq, Bush reduced future Army service there to year-long tours of duty.
"The other day I made it clear that our policy on rotations is now 12 months in, 12 months out," Bush said today to a rousing applause. "I know the Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright was one of the first brigades to extend, and I understand it puts stress on the families.
"Because of the progress we're making in Iraq, there's now certainty in the rotations," he said.
Bush acknowledged the difficulty that deployments cause, but said there are necessary for a nation at war. He added that some incorrectly characterize deployments as a form of law enforcement.
"Well, if it's a law enforcement matter, that means you react after the crime," he said. "I think it's important, and I know most of you here think it's important, to stop the crime from happening in the first place."
The president said that the United States must "stay on the offense," pressure its enemies and bring them to justice to prevent future attacks on American civilians. He urged that the United States never forget the "the transformative power of liberty."
"I know free societies yield the peace we all want," he said. "It's in our national interest to keep the pressure on the terrorists, to give them no safe haven, no place to hide, to keep them on the run."
Bush told the troops that the United States is thankful for their service.
"All here have my pride and have my gratitude," he said. "And you have the thanks of our entire nation. We honor your service.
"There is no finer honor than being the commander in chief of a fine group of men and women, and I'm proud to be in your midst," he added.
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 4, 2008 - President Bush praised troops for their efforts to help others "realize the blessing of a free society" during remarks today to servicemembers in Alaska. Stopping at Eielson Air Force Base ahead of his scheduled trip to Asia, Bush addressed a group of airmen and soldiers, which included one of the first Army brigades to serve an extended 15-month deployment in Iraq.
"It's ... in our national interest to help others realize the blessings of a free society, so that when we look back at the initial chapters of the 21st century we will say we've done our duty; we defended the United States of America, and we laid the foundation for peace to come," he said.
In addition to praising Alaska Air National Guardsmen, the president thanked the more 200 airmen from the base currently deployed around the world, including many in the Middle East, and expressed gratitude for their families' sacrifice.
"Their service in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere is making this nation safer," he said. "And for the family members of those airmen: God bless you, and thank you for standing with your loved one."
Among soldiers in the audience were members of the Task Force 49 Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright, Alaska. The unit was one of the first to spend 15 months in Iraq after Army tours were extended from 12 to 15 months in April 2007.
Soon after the extension took effect, however, Pentagon civilian and military officials urged a return to 12-month deployments. Last week, citing a four-year low in violence in Iraq, Bush reduced future Army service there to year-long tours of duty.
"The other day I made it clear that our policy on rotations is now 12 months in, 12 months out," Bush said today to a rousing applause. "I know the Stryker Brigade from Fort Wainwright was one of the first brigades to extend, and I understand it puts stress on the families.
"Because of the progress we're making in Iraq, there's now certainty in the rotations," he said.
Bush acknowledged the difficulty that deployments cause, but said there are necessary for a nation at war. He added that some incorrectly characterize deployments as a form of law enforcement.
"Well, if it's a law enforcement matter, that means you react after the crime," he said. "I think it's important, and I know most of you here think it's important, to stop the crime from happening in the first place."
The president said that the United States must "stay on the offense," pressure its enemies and bring them to justice to prevent future attacks on American civilians. He urged that the United States never forget the "the transformative power of liberty."
"I know free societies yield the peace we all want," he said. "It's in our national interest to keep the pressure on the terrorists, to give them no safe haven, no place to hide, to keep them on the run."
Bush told the troops that the United States is thankful for their service.
"All here have my pride and have my gratitude," he said. "And you have the thanks of our entire nation. We honor your service.
"There is no finer honor than being the commander in chief of a fine group of men and women, and I'm proud to be in your midst," he added.
Coalition, Iraqi Forces Detain 11, Find Weapons
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 4, 2008 - Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 11 suspected terrorists and found weapons caches during recent operations in Iraq, military officials said. In Mosul today, coalition forces detained a man believed to be an al-Qaida leader who resurfaced after being released from prison in March. Another suspected terrorist also was captured during the operation, officials said.
In operations yesterday, six suspected terrorists were captured by coalition forces near Kirkuk. Two of the suspects reportedly are part of an al-Qaida suicide-car-bombing operation and a foreign-terrorist-facilitation network, officials said.
In operations Aug. 2, Iraqi special operations soldiers detained four suspected terrorists in Mosul. The suspects reportedly are associated with an al-Qaida intimidation cell that uses ransoms from kidnappings to fund terrorist operations. The individuals also are believed to be involved in assassination attempts and oil smuggling, officials said.
In Baghdad on Aug. 2, Iraqi and coalition forces found weapons caches during three separate operations. They discovered 41 rocket-propelled grenades, 12 artillery rounds, four guided missiles, three mortar rounds, 2 pounds of explosives, and various small-arms ammunition, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Aug. 4, 2008 - Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 11 suspected terrorists and found weapons caches during recent operations in Iraq, military officials said. In Mosul today, coalition forces detained a man believed to be an al-Qaida leader who resurfaced after being released from prison in March. Another suspected terrorist also was captured during the operation, officials said.
In operations yesterday, six suspected terrorists were captured by coalition forces near Kirkuk. Two of the suspects reportedly are part of an al-Qaida suicide-car-bombing operation and a foreign-terrorist-facilitation network, officials said.
In operations Aug. 2, Iraqi special operations soldiers detained four suspected terrorists in Mosul. The suspects reportedly are associated with an al-Qaida intimidation cell that uses ransoms from kidnappings to fund terrorist operations. The individuals also are believed to be involved in assassination attempts and oil smuggling, officials said.
In Baghdad on Aug. 2, Iraqi and coalition forces found weapons caches during three separate operations. They discovered 41 rocket-propelled grenades, 12 artillery rounds, four guided missiles, three mortar rounds, 2 pounds of explosives, and various small-arms ammunition, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Coalition, Afghan Forces Kill Enemy Fighters, Detain Six Suspects
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 4, 2008 - Coalition and Afghan forces killed enemy fighters, detained six suspects and found weapons during recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials said. In operations yesterday, coalition forces were searching areas in Ghazni province's Waghez district when they came under attack by small-arms and mortar fire. Coalition forces repelled the attack, killing an unspecified number of enemy fighters, officials said.
Afghan and coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists and discovered bomb-making materials in Khowst province. The individuals reportedly are linked to a bomb-facilitation network responsible for numerous attacks in the province's Sabari district, officials said.
In operations Aug. 2, coalition forces killed one enemy fighter and detained two more in Ghazni province. The individuals reportedly are responsible for bombings and mortar attacks against Afghan and coalition troops, officials said.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)
Aug. 4, 2008 - Coalition and Afghan forces killed enemy fighters, detained six suspects and found weapons during recent operations in Afghanistan, military officials said. In operations yesterday, coalition forces were searching areas in Ghazni province's Waghez district when they came under attack by small-arms and mortar fire. Coalition forces repelled the attack, killing an unspecified number of enemy fighters, officials said.
Afghan and coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists and discovered bomb-making materials in Khowst province. The individuals reportedly are linked to a bomb-facilitation network responsible for numerous attacks in the province's Sabari district, officials said.
In operations Aug. 2, coalition forces killed one enemy fighter and detained two more in Ghazni province. The individuals reportedly are responsible for bombings and mortar attacks against Afghan and coalition troops, officials said.
(Compiled from Combined Joint Task Force 101 news releases.)
Friday, August 01, 2008
Coalition Troops Detain Suspects; Iraqi Police Seize Explosives
American Forces Press Service
Aug. 1, 2008 - Coalition forces captured 17 suspected al-Qaida terrorists during operations in Baghdad and Mosul today, while Iraqi police found an assortment of explosives in Baghdad, military officials said.
In today's operations:
-- Fifteen suspected terrorists were captured in a village southwest of Mosul.
-- In Baghdad, coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida associate, as well as an additional suspected terrorist.
-- Iraqi police found nine roadside bombs designed to pierce armor-hulled vehicles, 10 1-pound blocks of explosive material, three 20-kilogram bags of explosives and bomb-making materials in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.
In operations yesterday, U.S. soldiers in Baghdad detained two suspected criminal for questioning. The operation resulted in the surrender of another suspect.
Also yesterday, Iraqi soldiers seized a sniper rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle, an AK-47 short stalk, a rocket-propelled grenade round, and two hand grenades in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.
During July 30 operations:
-- Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier during an operation in Sadiyah. Three other suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.
-- U.S. soldiers detained a suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" criminal near the Jihad community in Baghdad's Rashid district. Five other suspects also were detained.
-- U.S. soldiers detained a suspect after discovering possible bomb-making materials in his home in Baghdad's Risalah neighborhood.
-- Iraq security forces captured three suspected terrorists in separate operations: The Mosul special weapons and tactics team captured a suspected mid-level al-Qaida operative in Namrood; the Fallujah SWAT squad captured a suspected al-Qaida member during an operation in Fallujah; and to the north of Baghdad, Iraqi National police captured a suspected al-Qaida leader.
In July 29 operations:
-- An Iraqi special operations and weapons team from Haditha detained a suspected al-Qaida terrorist in Barwanah, northwest of Baghdad.
-- Iraqi special operations forces detained two suspected terrorists north of Baghdad.
-- Iraqi special operations forces detained four suspected al-Qaida members in Tahwila, northwest of Baghdad. One of the detainees is linked to coordinating the movement of weapons and people between the Diyala and Udaim river valleys.
In July 28 operations:
-- An Iraqi SWAT team detained a suspected al-Qaida operative and two other suspects in Mosul.
-- Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier northwest of Mosul.
-- Muqdadiyah's Iraqi SWAT team detained a suspected al-Qaida financier.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Aug. 1, 2008 - Coalition forces captured 17 suspected al-Qaida terrorists during operations in Baghdad and Mosul today, while Iraqi police found an assortment of explosives in Baghdad, military officials said.
In today's operations:
-- Fifteen suspected terrorists were captured in a village southwest of Mosul.
-- In Baghdad, coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida associate, as well as an additional suspected terrorist.
-- Iraqi police found nine roadside bombs designed to pierce armor-hulled vehicles, 10 1-pound blocks of explosive material, three 20-kilogram bags of explosives and bomb-making materials in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.
In operations yesterday, U.S. soldiers in Baghdad detained two suspected criminal for questioning. The operation resulted in the surrender of another suspect.
Also yesterday, Iraqi soldiers seized a sniper rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle, an AK-47 short stalk, a rocket-propelled grenade round, and two hand grenades in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.
During July 30 operations:
-- Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier during an operation in Sadiyah. Three other suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.
-- U.S. soldiers detained a suspected Iranian-backed "special groups" criminal near the Jihad community in Baghdad's Rashid district. Five other suspects also were detained.
-- U.S. soldiers detained a suspect after discovering possible bomb-making materials in his home in Baghdad's Risalah neighborhood.
-- Iraq security forces captured three suspected terrorists in separate operations: The Mosul special weapons and tactics team captured a suspected mid-level al-Qaida operative in Namrood; the Fallujah SWAT squad captured a suspected al-Qaida member during an operation in Fallujah; and to the north of Baghdad, Iraqi National police captured a suspected al-Qaida leader.
In July 29 operations:
-- An Iraqi special operations and weapons team from Haditha detained a suspected al-Qaida terrorist in Barwanah, northwest of Baghdad.
-- Iraqi special operations forces detained two suspected terrorists north of Baghdad.
-- Iraqi special operations forces detained four suspected al-Qaida members in Tahwila, northwest of Baghdad. One of the detainees is linked to coordinating the movement of weapons and people between the Diyala and Udaim river valleys.
In July 28 operations:
-- An Iraqi SWAT team detained a suspected al-Qaida operative and two other suspects in Mosul.
-- Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier northwest of Mosul.
-- Muqdadiyah's Iraqi SWAT team detained a suspected al-Qaida financier.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Bush Cites 'Sustained Progress' in Iraq, Cuts New Deployments to 12 Months
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
July 31, 2008 - Citing improved conditions in Iraq, President Bush announced today that soldiers deploying there from tomorrow on will serve 12-month tours of duty. Army tours in Iraq were extended from 12 to 15 months in April 2007. Pentagon civilian and military officials have expressed the intent to cut Iraq tour lengths from 15 to 12 months for some time.
Violence in Iraq has decreased to its lowest levels in four years, which indicates that the security gains achieved there in recent months may be lasting, Bush said today at the White House.
"Violence is down to its lowest level since the spring of 2004," Bush said. Reduced strife in Iraq, he said, has continued for three consecutive months and is holding steady.
Bush said U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq, have cautioned him that the improved security environment in Iraq still is reversible. However, Crocker and Petraeus also believe "there now appears to be a degree of durability to the gains we have made," Bush said.
The success of the surge, Bush said, is "a significant reason for this sustained progress" in Iraq. Iraqi security forces are increasing in capability, he said, noting that 192 Iraqi combat battalions are now in the fight. More than 110 of these units, he said, are taking the lead in combat operations against terrorists and extremists.
Iraqi forces proved their mettle earlier this year, Bush said, during the successful Iraqi government-led military operations launched against Shiite extremists in Basra, Amarah and the Sadr City section of Baghdad.
"Because of these operations, extremists who once terrorized the citizens of these communities have been driven from their strongholds," Bush said. As a result, he said, Crocker "was able to walk the streets of Sadr City last Wednesday."
That act, Bush noted, was something that would not have been possible just a few months ago.
This week, the Iraqi government is launching a new military offensive against al-Qaida terrorists believed to be operating in parts of Diyala province, Bush said.
"This operation is Iraqi-led; our forces are playing a supporting role," Bush said. And during the coming months, he said, "the Iraqis will continue taking the lead in more military operations across the country."
The improved security environment has enabled the Iraqis to achieve political progress as well, the president said, noting that Iraqi lawmakers have passed several major pieces of legislation this year. Iraqi leaders also are preparing for provincial elections slated for later this year, he noted.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recently returned from a European trip, Bush said, where the Iraqi leader held important diplomatic discussions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Pope Benedict XVI.
The progress in Iraq, Bush said, has enabled the redeployment of the five Army surge brigades and three Marine elements as well as the reduction of the length of U.S. Army combat tours there.
"Beginning tomorrow, troops deploying to Iraq will serve 12-month tours instead of 15-month tours," Bush said. "This will ease the burden on our forces; it will make life easier for our wonderful military families."
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iraqi governments are making progress developing a strategic framework agreement covering military-to-military and diplomatic relations between the two countries, Bush said. The agreement, he said, will serve as the foundation for America's presence in Iraq after the United Nations resolution authorizing multinational forces in Iraq expires on Dec. 31.
Yet, despite all the recent achievements made in Iraq, America remains at war with global terrorists, the president said.
"Al-Qaida is on the run in Iraq, but the terrorists remain dangerous, and they are determined to strike our country and our allies again," Bush said. "In this time of war, America is grateful to all the men and women who have stepped up forward to defend us."
U.S. servicemembers "understand that we have no greater responsibility than to stop the terrorists before they launch another attack on our homeland," the president said. "And every day, they make great sacrifices to keep the American people safe here at home. We owe our thanks to all those who wear the uniform and their families who support them in their vital work. And the best way to honor them is to support their mission and to bring them home with victory."
American Forces Press Service
July 31, 2008 - Citing improved conditions in Iraq, President Bush announced today that soldiers deploying there from tomorrow on will serve 12-month tours of duty. Army tours in Iraq were extended from 12 to 15 months in April 2007. Pentagon civilian and military officials have expressed the intent to cut Iraq tour lengths from 15 to 12 months for some time.
Violence in Iraq has decreased to its lowest levels in four years, which indicates that the security gains achieved there in recent months may be lasting, Bush said today at the White House.
"Violence is down to its lowest level since the spring of 2004," Bush said. Reduced strife in Iraq, he said, has continued for three consecutive months and is holding steady.
Bush said U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker and Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of Multinational Force Iraq, have cautioned him that the improved security environment in Iraq still is reversible. However, Crocker and Petraeus also believe "there now appears to be a degree of durability to the gains we have made," Bush said.
The success of the surge, Bush said, is "a significant reason for this sustained progress" in Iraq. Iraqi security forces are increasing in capability, he said, noting that 192 Iraqi combat battalions are now in the fight. More than 110 of these units, he said, are taking the lead in combat operations against terrorists and extremists.
Iraqi forces proved their mettle earlier this year, Bush said, during the successful Iraqi government-led military operations launched against Shiite extremists in Basra, Amarah and the Sadr City section of Baghdad.
"Because of these operations, extremists who once terrorized the citizens of these communities have been driven from their strongholds," Bush said. As a result, he said, Crocker "was able to walk the streets of Sadr City last Wednesday."
That act, Bush noted, was something that would not have been possible just a few months ago.
This week, the Iraqi government is launching a new military offensive against al-Qaida terrorists believed to be operating in parts of Diyala province, Bush said.
"This operation is Iraqi-led; our forces are playing a supporting role," Bush said. And during the coming months, he said, "the Iraqis will continue taking the lead in more military operations across the country."
The improved security environment has enabled the Iraqis to achieve political progress as well, the president said, noting that Iraqi lawmakers have passed several major pieces of legislation this year. Iraqi leaders also are preparing for provincial elections slated for later this year, he noted.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki recently returned from a European trip, Bush said, where the Iraqi leader held important diplomatic discussions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Pope Benedict XVI.
The progress in Iraq, Bush said, has enabled the redeployment of the five Army surge brigades and three Marine elements as well as the reduction of the length of U.S. Army combat tours there.
"Beginning tomorrow, troops deploying to Iraq will serve 12-month tours instead of 15-month tours," Bush said. "This will ease the burden on our forces; it will make life easier for our wonderful military families."
Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iraqi governments are making progress developing a strategic framework agreement covering military-to-military and diplomatic relations between the two countries, Bush said. The agreement, he said, will serve as the foundation for America's presence in Iraq after the United Nations resolution authorizing multinational forces in Iraq expires on Dec. 31.
Yet, despite all the recent achievements made in Iraq, America remains at war with global terrorists, the president said.
"Al-Qaida is on the run in Iraq, but the terrorists remain dangerous, and they are determined to strike our country and our allies again," Bush said. "In this time of war, America is grateful to all the men and women who have stepped up forward to defend us."
U.S. servicemembers "understand that we have no greater responsibility than to stop the terrorists before they launch another attack on our homeland," the president said. "And every day, they make great sacrifices to keep the American people safe here at home. We owe our thanks to all those who wear the uniform and their families who support them in their vital work. And the best way to honor them is to support their mission and to bring them home with victory."
Coalition Forces in Iraq Capture Suspected Terrorists
American Forces Press Service
July 31, 2008 - Coalition forces in Iraq detained 12 suspected terrorists yesterday and today, including a suspect linked to the planning of al-Qaida suicide bombings, during operations in Baghdad and in the central and northern parts of the country, military officials said.
In today's operations:
-- In Beiji, coalition forces captured a suspect linked to an al-Qaida bombing network that operates in the Tigris River valley.
-- In Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted man believed to be a liaison among various al-Qaida in Iraq networks. Two additional suspects were detained in the operation.
-- Coalition forces in Mosul detained a suspected terrorist while targeting al-Qaida-affiliated leaders in the city.
-- In eastern Baghdad, coalition forces captured three suspected criminal linked to a terrorist organization. One of the detainees is linked to a propaganda unit for the Kataib Hezbollah terrorist organization. The cell is suspected of making videos of attacks on coalition and Iraqi forces. The videos are used to raise funds and other resources for additional attacks.
Yesterday, U.S. soldiers detained four suspected criminal during an operation in the New Baghdad security district. Two of the detainees were highly sought-after criminal, and one of them is a suspected weapons smuggler, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
July 31, 2008 - Coalition forces in Iraq detained 12 suspected terrorists yesterday and today, including a suspect linked to the planning of al-Qaida suicide bombings, during operations in Baghdad and in the central and northern parts of the country, military officials said.
In today's operations:
-- In Beiji, coalition forces captured a suspect linked to an al-Qaida bombing network that operates in the Tigris River valley.
-- In Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted man believed to be a liaison among various al-Qaida in Iraq networks. Two additional suspects were detained in the operation.
-- Coalition forces in Mosul detained a suspected terrorist while targeting al-Qaida-affiliated leaders in the city.
-- In eastern Baghdad, coalition forces captured three suspected criminal linked to a terrorist organization. One of the detainees is linked to a propaganda unit for the Kataib Hezbollah terrorist organization. The cell is suspected of making videos of attacks on coalition and Iraqi forces. The videos are used to raise funds and other resources for additional attacks.
Yesterday, U.S. soldiers detained four suspected criminal during an operation in the New Baghdad security district. Two of the detainees were highly sought-after criminal, and one of them is a suspected weapons smuggler, officials said.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Officials Discuss Start of Iraqi-Led Diyala Operations
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
July 30, 2008 - The operation now under way to clear enemies from Iraq's Diyala province is Iraqi-conceived, Iraqi-planned and Iraqi-led, a senior coalition officer said today. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Perkins, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, along with Iraqi Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari, spoke with reporters at a Baghdad news conference.
Perkins said coalition forces will provide capabilities such as air support, helicopter support, some logistical support and engineer support for the operation in Diyala.
"[These are] those things that complete the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces and enable them to accomplish their mission," Perkins said.
Askari said the Iraqi Army and police are attacking terrorists, outlaws and Iranian-backed "special groups" to deny them safe haven in the province, which runs from the outskirts of Baghdad to the Iranian border. "The operation has no timetable," he said through a translator.
The operation, which began yesterday, has deployed Iraqi soldiers and police to the province's cities and villages. The Iraqi security forces already have captured 50 wanted terrorists and criminals, Askari said, noting that the operation has begun "lifting the 'fear barrier' between the Iraqi security forces and the people."
Another objective of the operation is to starve the terrorist and criminal groups and separate them from the population. Iraqi officials also want to build security so that displaced people – refugees from the fighting – want to relocate back to the province. Finally, the operation is designed to make it safe enough for the Iraqi government to begin investment in the province to spur reconstruction and agriculture, the Iraqi general said.
Perkins said the partnership between Iraqi and coalition soldiers continues to grow stronger and continues to contribute to the decline in violence throughout Iraq. Still, he gave most of the credit for the turnaround in the country to the Iraqi people.
"The Iraqi people came together in their neighborhoods and took a stand against terrorists, criminals and special groups," he said. "The Iraqi people rejected those bent on creating anarchy and division amongst them, and they became a key factor in the decrease in violence among them in the past year."
Problems remain in the country, as a series of suicide bombings in Baghdad and Kirkuk yesterday reminded all, Perkins said. But he added that coalition and Iraqi officials are encouraged, because even with the tragic attacks, enemy operatives could not fulfill their goals. The high-profile attacks did not start the cycle of sectarian violence that terror groups hoped such barbarity would unleash.
"The enemy is still capable of using high-profile attacks as it attempts to incite sectarian violence, disrupt Iraq's democratic processes and pit Iraqis against Iraqis," he said. "Just as Iraqis rejected the terrorists and their violent ideologies, Iraqis now are also refusing to be divided and pitted against each other.
"The Iraqi people have shown their commitment to securing their cities and neighborhoods," he continued, "and they are not giving up the security gains that saw ethno-sectarian attacks fall by 98 percent in the past 12 months."
American Forces Press Service
July 30, 2008 - The operation now under way to clear enemies from Iraq's Diyala province is Iraqi-conceived, Iraqi-planned and Iraqi-led, a senior coalition officer said today. U.S. Army Brig. Gen. David Perkins, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, along with Iraqi Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari, spoke with reporters at a Baghdad news conference.
Perkins said coalition forces will provide capabilities such as air support, helicopter support, some logistical support and engineer support for the operation in Diyala.
"[These are] those things that complete the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces and enable them to accomplish their mission," Perkins said.
Askari said the Iraqi Army and police are attacking terrorists, outlaws and Iranian-backed "special groups" to deny them safe haven in the province, which runs from the outskirts of Baghdad to the Iranian border. "The operation has no timetable," he said through a translator.
The operation, which began yesterday, has deployed Iraqi soldiers and police to the province's cities and villages. The Iraqi security forces already have captured 50 wanted terrorists and criminals, Askari said, noting that the operation has begun "lifting the 'fear barrier' between the Iraqi security forces and the people."
Another objective of the operation is to starve the terrorist and criminal groups and separate them from the population. Iraqi officials also want to build security so that displaced people – refugees from the fighting – want to relocate back to the province. Finally, the operation is designed to make it safe enough for the Iraqi government to begin investment in the province to spur reconstruction and agriculture, the Iraqi general said.
Perkins said the partnership between Iraqi and coalition soldiers continues to grow stronger and continues to contribute to the decline in violence throughout Iraq. Still, he gave most of the credit for the turnaround in the country to the Iraqi people.
"The Iraqi people came together in their neighborhoods and took a stand against terrorists, criminals and special groups," he said. "The Iraqi people rejected those bent on creating anarchy and division amongst them, and they became a key factor in the decrease in violence among them in the past year."
Problems remain in the country, as a series of suicide bombings in Baghdad and Kirkuk yesterday reminded all, Perkins said. But he added that coalition and Iraqi officials are encouraged, because even with the tragic attacks, enemy operatives could not fulfill their goals. The high-profile attacks did not start the cycle of sectarian violence that terror groups hoped such barbarity would unleash.
"The enemy is still capable of using high-profile attacks as it attempts to incite sectarian violence, disrupt Iraq's democratic processes and pit Iraqis against Iraqis," he said. "Just as Iraqis rejected the terrorists and their violent ideologies, Iraqis now are also refusing to be divided and pitted against each other.
"The Iraqi people have shown their commitment to securing their cities and neighborhoods," he continued, "and they are not giving up the security gains that saw ethno-sectarian attacks fall by 98 percent in the past 12 months."
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Coalition, Iraqi Forces Detain Terrorism Suspects, Seize Weapons
American Forces Press Service
July 30, 2008 - Iraqi and coalition forces detained a dozen suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in the central part of the country yesterday and today, military officials reported. Surveillance teams monitored several suspected associates of an al-Qaida in Iraq leader northwest of Samarra and conducted two operations today to target them. As coalition forces arrived in the area, they received small-arms fire but were unable to determine the source. Moving closer to the target building, they saw four individuals involved in suspicious activity. Perceiving hostile intent, officials said, the force shot and killed two men and a woman, and wounded another woman. A third man who was detained in the operation admitted to working with explosives. The injured woman, who was treated on site and taken to a military medical facility, was determined to be an Iraqi civilian.
Coalition forces did not find any weapons with the five individuals, officials said, and the incident is under investigation. In the other operation in the area, coalition forces detained six suspects and discovered two rifles.
In operations yesterday:
-- In the Hamrin Mountains region, coalition and Iraqi forces detained a wanted man and two additional suspects. The wanted man reportedly has ties to al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in the area.
-- Iraqi and coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists during an operation in Kirkuk targeting the leader of a bombing cell.
-- Iraqi soldiers seized homemade-bomb components north of Baghdad.
-- Soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team seized a cache in Baghdad's East Rashid district after receiving a tip from a local citizen. The cache included a 60 mm mortar round and Iranian-manufactured 107 mm rockets.
-- Iraqi National Police in Baghdad's West Rashid district found a cache that included 82 mm mortar rounds and five mortar fuses.
-- Iraqi National Police in Rashid's Doura community notified soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team of a possible roadside bomb. The soldiers acted on the information and secured the roadside bomb and a cell-phone initiator until an explosives team arrived to dispose of it.
-- A citizen's tip led a patrol from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team to a highly sought-after suspected terrorist in southern Baghdad, officials said. The patrol detained and moved the suspect to a coalition forces base for questioning.
In July 28 operations:
-- Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team secured an undisclosed amount of homemade explosives at a house in Rashid's Saydiyah community until an explosives team arrived to dispose of them.
-- Operation Sabre Pursuit continued, with 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi soldiers unearthing 12 caches near Hamud in Diayla province. The caches included 60 mm mortar rounds with a mortar tube, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with various grenades and several AK-47 assault rifles.
-- Iraqi police seized a weapons cache in the New Baghdad district of the Iraqi capital. The cache included a rocket-propelled grenade, assorted artillery shells, an 82 mm mortar tube, cases of large-caliber ammunition, radios and a homemade-bomb trigger.
-- Soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team seized a cache north of Baghdad that included 105 mm rounds, a 25 mm projectile and a 68 mm rocket warhead.
-- A leader of the Sons of Iraq, a citizen security group, turned in munitions to Iraqi soldiers in the Mansour area of Baghdad. The munitions included 60 mm mortars and RPG rounds.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
July 30, 2008 - Iraqi and coalition forces detained a dozen suspected terrorists during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in the central part of the country yesterday and today, military officials reported. Surveillance teams monitored several suspected associates of an al-Qaida in Iraq leader northwest of Samarra and conducted two operations today to target them. As coalition forces arrived in the area, they received small-arms fire but were unable to determine the source. Moving closer to the target building, they saw four individuals involved in suspicious activity. Perceiving hostile intent, officials said, the force shot and killed two men and a woman, and wounded another woman. A third man who was detained in the operation admitted to working with explosives. The injured woman, who was treated on site and taken to a military medical facility, was determined to be an Iraqi civilian.
Coalition forces did not find any weapons with the five individuals, officials said, and the incident is under investigation. In the other operation in the area, coalition forces detained six suspects and discovered two rifles.
In operations yesterday:
-- In the Hamrin Mountains region, coalition and Iraqi forces detained a wanted man and two additional suspects. The wanted man reportedly has ties to al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in the area.
-- Iraqi and coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists during an operation in Kirkuk targeting the leader of a bombing cell.
-- Iraqi soldiers seized homemade-bomb components north of Baghdad.
-- Soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team seized a cache in Baghdad's East Rashid district after receiving a tip from a local citizen. The cache included a 60 mm mortar round and Iranian-manufactured 107 mm rockets.
-- Iraqi National Police in Baghdad's West Rashid district found a cache that included 82 mm mortar rounds and five mortar fuses.
-- Iraqi National Police in Rashid's Doura community notified soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team of a possible roadside bomb. The soldiers acted on the information and secured the roadside bomb and a cell-phone initiator until an explosives team arrived to dispose of it.
-- A citizen's tip led a patrol from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team to a highly sought-after suspected terrorist in southern Baghdad, officials said. The patrol detained and moved the suspect to a coalition forces base for questioning.
In July 28 operations:
-- Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team secured an undisclosed amount of homemade explosives at a house in Rashid's Saydiyah community until an explosives team arrived to dispose of them.
-- Operation Sabre Pursuit continued, with 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi soldiers unearthing 12 caches near Hamud in Diayla province. The caches included 60 mm mortar rounds with a mortar tube, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with various grenades and several AK-47 assault rifles.
-- Iraqi police seized a weapons cache in the New Baghdad district of the Iraqi capital. The cache included a rocket-propelled grenade, assorted artillery shells, an 82 mm mortar tube, cases of large-caliber ammunition, radios and a homemade-bomb trigger.
-- Soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team seized a cache north of Baghdad that included 105 mm rounds, a 25 mm projectile and a 68 mm rocket warhead.
-- A leader of the Sons of Iraq, a citizen security group, turned in munitions to Iraqi soldiers in the Mansour area of Baghdad. The munitions included 60 mm mortars and RPG rounds.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
DoD Continues to Look for Capabilities for Afghanistan
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
July 29, 2008 - Defense Department planners continue to look for capabilities to send to Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon spokesman said today. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell also said that, while DoD officials are encouraged by conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, "actions speak louder than words."
Efforts to identify additional assets for Afghanistan continue, Morrell said. "Progress is being made toward that end, but I don't have anything definitive to stand here before you today and relay," he said.
He did say that for the time being, U.S. Central Command's strategic reserve –- 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit -– will not deploy to Afghanistan. The 2,200 Marines of the unit now are training in Kuwait.
Military commanders said that as much as troops are needed in Afghanistan, the strategic reserve is an insurance policy in a dangerous part of the world. Morrell wouldn't discuss possible scenarios.
"If we were to commit these resources to Afghanistan now, we would be hamstrung in responding to future threats," he said.
"The situation is not so desperately urgent at this point that it requires us rushing the strategic reserve for Central Command into Afghanistan at this very moment," he said. "It is an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed."
Gilani met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates at the Pentagon today. Gates also attended the lunch President Bush had with Gilani yesterday.
The Pakistani government has been in office only since March and is working through growing pains, dealing with economic and political woes while trying to deal with extremists in its federally administered tribal areas and the North West Frontier province. U.S., NATO and Afghan officials have asked Pakistan to maintain pressure on Taliban and foreign fighters now using areas in the country as safe havens.
"We are very encouraging of the Pakistani government to do as much as they possibly can to diminish the threat posed by ... terrorists, who are operating rather freely," Morrell said.
Commanders in Afghanistan have criticized Pakistan's policy of negotiating with tribal leaders in the tribal areas. Morrell said the Pakistani approach is not strictly one of negotiation.
"If you look at the situation of the past several weeks ... indeed, months -- there has been an uptick in Pakistani military operations within the border area," Morrell said. "Is it enough? Is it enough to stem the flow of foreign fighters that continue to traverse the border into Afghanistan? Obviously not, and therefore we have called on them to do even more.
"They seem to believe that negotiation with tribal leaders, in the [Federally Administered Tribal areas] and elsewhere, is worthwhile," he continued. "We have said from this podium and elsewhere that that is an option that is worth pursuing, provided that these deals are enforceable and that there is a constant military presence within the FATA going after terrorists, so that no safe havens can develop there."
The words from Pakistani officials have been encouraging, he added, "but the deeds are what ultimately we will measure."
The mere presence of Pakistani troops near the border helps to stem the flow of Taliban and foreign fighters across the border into Afghanistan, Morrell said. "That is helpful," he added, "but obviously we would like for the Pakistanis to be as aggressive as they can be."
American Forces Press Service
July 29, 2008 - Defense Department planners continue to look for capabilities to send to Afghanistan, a senior Pentagon spokesman said today. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell also said that, while DoD officials are encouraged by conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, "actions speak louder than words."
Efforts to identify additional assets for Afghanistan continue, Morrell said. "Progress is being made toward that end, but I don't have anything definitive to stand here before you today and relay," he said.
He did say that for the time being, U.S. Central Command's strategic reserve –- 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit -– will not deploy to Afghanistan. The 2,200 Marines of the unit now are training in Kuwait.
Military commanders said that as much as troops are needed in Afghanistan, the strategic reserve is an insurance policy in a dangerous part of the world. Morrell wouldn't discuss possible scenarios.
"If we were to commit these resources to Afghanistan now, we would be hamstrung in responding to future threats," he said.
"The situation is not so desperately urgent at this point that it requires us rushing the strategic reserve for Central Command into Afghanistan at this very moment," he said. "It is an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed."
Gilani met with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates at the Pentagon today. Gates also attended the lunch President Bush had with Gilani yesterday.
The Pakistani government has been in office only since March and is working through growing pains, dealing with economic and political woes while trying to deal with extremists in its federally administered tribal areas and the North West Frontier province. U.S., NATO and Afghan officials have asked Pakistan to maintain pressure on Taliban and foreign fighters now using areas in the country as safe havens.
"We are very encouraging of the Pakistani government to do as much as they possibly can to diminish the threat posed by ... terrorists, who are operating rather freely," Morrell said.
Commanders in Afghanistan have criticized Pakistan's policy of negotiating with tribal leaders in the tribal areas. Morrell said the Pakistani approach is not strictly one of negotiation.
"If you look at the situation of the past several weeks ... indeed, months -- there has been an uptick in Pakistani military operations within the border area," Morrell said. "Is it enough? Is it enough to stem the flow of foreign fighters that continue to traverse the border into Afghanistan? Obviously not, and therefore we have called on them to do even more.
"They seem to believe that negotiation with tribal leaders, in the [Federally Administered Tribal areas] and elsewhere, is worthwhile," he continued. "We have said from this podium and elsewhere that that is an option that is worth pursuing, provided that these deals are enforceable and that there is a constant military presence within the FATA going after terrorists, so that no safe havens can develop there."
The words from Pakistani officials have been encouraging, he added, "but the deeds are what ultimately we will measure."
The mere presence of Pakistani troops near the border helps to stem the flow of Taliban and foreign fighters across the border into Afghanistan, Morrell said. "That is helpful," he added, "but obviously we would like for the Pakistanis to be as aggressive as they can be."
Soldiers Kill Known Terrorism Facilitator, Detain Suspects in Iraq
American Forces Press Service
July 29, 2008 - Coalition forces killed a known terrorism facilitator during an operation in Baghdad today when the man refused to follow instructions to surrender, military officials reported. Coalition forces shot and killed the man -- who was known to be part of a network that provides false documents and moves supplies around Iraq -- when he made a threatening movement that was perceived as hostile intent, officials said.
In other operations today:
-- Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists in Baghdad while targeting a car-bombing cell.
-- East of Samarra, coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida leader and one other suspect. The wanted man reportedly oversees terrorist activity in the region and recruits women to conduct suicide bombings.
-- Coalition forces targeted associates of al-Qaida senior leaders during operations in and around Mosul, detaining 13 suspected terrorists.
-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained a key suspected criminal and four of his suspected associates in eastern Baghdad. Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team detained the suspects while conducting an operation specifically targeting them in the New Baghdad district. The individuals allegedly house and hide key criminal leaders, officials said. In addition to detaining the five suspected criminals, the soldiers seized weapons including an AK-47 assault rifle, AK-47 magazines, knives, a camcorder and assorted documents.
In other news from Iraq, coalition forces identified a suspected foreign terrorist facilitator driving southwest of Qaim yesterday. They stopped the man, who was with four children, and detained him without incident. Coalition forces drove the children home and left them in the care of family members.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
July 29, 2008 - Coalition forces killed a known terrorism facilitator during an operation in Baghdad today when the man refused to follow instructions to surrender, military officials reported. Coalition forces shot and killed the man -- who was known to be part of a network that provides false documents and moves supplies around Iraq -- when he made a threatening movement that was perceived as hostile intent, officials said.
In other operations today:
-- Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists in Baghdad while targeting a car-bombing cell.
-- East of Samarra, coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida leader and one other suspect. The wanted man reportedly oversees terrorist activity in the region and recruits women to conduct suicide bombings.
-- Coalition forces targeted associates of al-Qaida senior leaders during operations in and around Mosul, detaining 13 suspected terrorists.
-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained a key suspected criminal and four of his suspected associates in eastern Baghdad. Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team detained the suspects while conducting an operation specifically targeting them in the New Baghdad district. The individuals allegedly house and hide key criminal leaders, officials said. In addition to detaining the five suspected criminals, the soldiers seized weapons including an AK-47 assault rifle, AK-47 magazines, knives, a camcorder and assorted documents.
In other news from Iraq, coalition forces identified a suspected foreign terrorist facilitator driving southwest of Qaim yesterday. They stopped the man, who was with four children, and detained him without incident. Coalition forces drove the children home and left them in the care of family members.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Bush, Pakistani Prime Minister Hold White House Talks
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
July 28, 2008 - President Bush and Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani discussed greater cooperation in the war on terror and economic matters during a White house meeting today. The two leaders spoke with reporters after their Oval Office meeting.
"We talked about the common threat we face: extremists who are very dangerous people," Bush said. "We talked about the need for us to make sure that the ... Afghan border is secure as best as possible."
The president said Pakistan has committed to securing the border. Bush told Gilani the United States is committed to helping the Afghan democracy succeed. A peaceful, democratic country on its western border is in Pakistan's interest, the president said.
"We are committed to fight against those extremists and terrorists who are destroying and making the world not safe," Gilani said. "This is our own war. This is a war which is against Pakistan, and we'll fight for our own cause. And that is because I've lost my own leader, Benazir Bhutto, because of the militants."
Gilani assured the American people that the people of Pakistan "want the peace in the world, and they want to cooperate."
Bush stressed that the United States respects Pakistan's national sovereignty. "We also appreciate the prime minister's strong words against the extremists and terrorists who not only would do us harm but have harmed people inside Pakistan," Bush said.
This was Bush's second meeting with Gilani, who took office March 24.
American Forces Press Service
July 28, 2008 - President Bush and Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani discussed greater cooperation in the war on terror and economic matters during a White house meeting today. The two leaders spoke with reporters after their Oval Office meeting.
"We talked about the common threat we face: extremists who are very dangerous people," Bush said. "We talked about the need for us to make sure that the ... Afghan border is secure as best as possible."
The president said Pakistan has committed to securing the border. Bush told Gilani the United States is committed to helping the Afghan democracy succeed. A peaceful, democratic country on its western border is in Pakistan's interest, the president said.
"We are committed to fight against those extremists and terrorists who are destroying and making the world not safe," Gilani said. "This is our own war. This is a war which is against Pakistan, and we'll fight for our own cause. And that is because I've lost my own leader, Benazir Bhutto, because of the militants."
Gilani assured the American people that the people of Pakistan "want the peace in the world, and they want to cooperate."
Bush stressed that the United States respects Pakistan's national sovereignty. "We also appreciate the prime minister's strong words against the extremists and terrorists who not only would do us harm but have harmed people inside Pakistan," Bush said.
This was Bush's second meeting with Gilani, who took office March 24.
Coalition Troops in Iraq Capture 30 Suspected al-Qaida Terrorists
American Forces Press Service
July 28, 2008 - Coalition forces today captured two wanted men and detained 28 additional suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaida operations in central and northern Iraq, military officials said. Coalition forces detained two wanted men and five additional suspects during an operation in Abu Ghraib, about 25 kilometers west of Baghdad. One of the men reportedly is an al-Qaida in Iraq leader who oversees attacks. The other wanted man allegedly makes and emplaces roadside bombs.
Using information obtained from a June 24 operation, coalition forces in Mosul targeted a man believed to oversee al-Qaida financial operations in Ninevah province. They detained one suspect, and seven additional suspects were detained in another operation targeting an al-Qaida in Iraq senior leader.
Tips from local residents helped coalition forces envelop a village southwest of Mosul that reportedly is a hideout for al-Qaida facilitators and smugglers coming in from Syria. Fifteen suspects were detained.
During yesterday's operations:
-- Coalition forces captured two suspected leaders of Iranian-backed "special groups" and another suspect during separate operations in Baghdad's Rusafa district. Coalition forces first captured one suspected special groups leaders operating in the Sadr City area. He is linked to attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces, as well as to kidnappings and smuggling of weapons from Iran to Iraq. In a separate operation in the Rusafa district, coalition forces captured the leader of a Karkh-area special groups ring and another suspect. The detained leader is linked to the provision of weapons, money and logistical support to subordinates. He also is believed to have supplied fighters to support criminal operations.
-- Fifty-eight suspected al-Qaida members were detained and four were killed during a coalition search operation in Ninewah province.
-- U.S. soldiers detained a special groups operative and discovered a weapons cache in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. The detainee is linked to rocket and roadside-bomb attacks against coalition forces. Later, the soldiers discovered two nitrous oxide tanks, a fire extinguisher filled with homemade explosives, ammunition, two pressure plates used in roadside bombs and a smoke grenade in Baghdad's Doura community. An explosives ordnance disposal team disposed of the explosive materials.
Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces detained a suspected al-Qaida terrorist and discovered a weapons cache in separate operations in northern Iraq July 25.
The Muqdadiyah special weapons and tactics team detained a suspected al-Qaida member in Babylon, northeast of Baghdad, in an operation to disrupt terrorist activity in Muqdadiyah. The suspect allegedly is a facilitator for a cell involved in roadside-bomb emplacements, sectarian violence and weapons smuggling.
Also, Iraqi National Police operating northwest of Baghdad discovered a weapons cache consisting of about a metric ton of nitric acid, 150 pounds of explosive materials, mortar rounds, projectiles, tank rounds and rockets. An explosive ordnance disposal unit disposed of the cache.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
July 28, 2008 - Coalition forces today captured two wanted men and detained 28 additional suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaida operations in central and northern Iraq, military officials said. Coalition forces detained two wanted men and five additional suspects during an operation in Abu Ghraib, about 25 kilometers west of Baghdad. One of the men reportedly is an al-Qaida in Iraq leader who oversees attacks. The other wanted man allegedly makes and emplaces roadside bombs.
Using information obtained from a June 24 operation, coalition forces in Mosul targeted a man believed to oversee al-Qaida financial operations in Ninevah province. They detained one suspect, and seven additional suspects were detained in another operation targeting an al-Qaida in Iraq senior leader.
Tips from local residents helped coalition forces envelop a village southwest of Mosul that reportedly is a hideout for al-Qaida facilitators and smugglers coming in from Syria. Fifteen suspects were detained.
During yesterday's operations:
-- Coalition forces captured two suspected leaders of Iranian-backed "special groups" and another suspect during separate operations in Baghdad's Rusafa district. Coalition forces first captured one suspected special groups leaders operating in the Sadr City area. He is linked to attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces, as well as to kidnappings and smuggling of weapons from Iran to Iraq. In a separate operation in the Rusafa district, coalition forces captured the leader of a Karkh-area special groups ring and another suspect. The detained leader is linked to the provision of weapons, money and logistical support to subordinates. He also is believed to have supplied fighters to support criminal operations.
-- Fifty-eight suspected al-Qaida members were detained and four were killed during a coalition search operation in Ninewah province.
-- U.S. soldiers detained a special groups operative and discovered a weapons cache in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. The detainee is linked to rocket and roadside-bomb attacks against coalition forces. Later, the soldiers discovered two nitrous oxide tanks, a fire extinguisher filled with homemade explosives, ammunition, two pressure plates used in roadside bombs and a smoke grenade in Baghdad's Doura community. An explosives ordnance disposal team disposed of the explosive materials.
Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces detained a suspected al-Qaida terrorist and discovered a weapons cache in separate operations in northern Iraq July 25.
The Muqdadiyah special weapons and tactics team detained a suspected al-Qaida member in Babylon, northeast of Baghdad, in an operation to disrupt terrorist activity in Muqdadiyah. The suspect allegedly is a facilitator for a cell involved in roadside-bomb emplacements, sectarian violence and weapons smuggling.
Also, Iraqi National Police operating northwest of Baghdad discovered a weapons cache consisting of about a metric ton of nitric acid, 150 pounds of explosive materials, mortar rounds, projectiles, tank rounds and rockets. An explosive ordnance disposal unit disposed of the cache.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Coalition, Iraqi Troops Keep Pressure on Terrorists
American Forces Press Service
July 27, 2008 - Coalition and Iraqi forces continue to push terrorists and criminal in operations throughout Iraq. Coalition forces captured two suspected "Special Groups" leaders in Baghdad today. Special groups criminal are members of violent organizations, possibly trained and supported by Iran. These key leaders were taken in the Rusafa district of Baghdad.
Coalition and Iraqi forces also conducted operations over the weekend discovering a number of arms caches, capturing al-Qaida terrorists, discovering roadside bombs and attacking terror and criminal networks.
In Rusafa, coalition forces used intelligence information, to locate and capture an Iranian-trained senior leader of Special Groups criminals. The agent of Iran is responsible for attacks against Iraqi security and coalition forces as well as kidnappings and smuggling of weapons from Iran to Iraq. He was captured without incident.
Coalition forces also captured another Special Groups criminal in a separate Rusafa district operation. He is a senior leader responsible for supplying weapons, money and logistical support to subordinate Special Groups commanders. He also provides fighters as reinforcements to areas in need – making his role crucial for sustained operations by Special Groups in the area. He, also, was captured without incident.
The Special Groups took another hit when Iraqi special operations forces detained two other criminals in Baghdad, July 24 and 25.
One of those detained was associated with improvised rocket-assisted mortar attacks. The other man is reportedly responsible for weapons trafficking from Iran into Diyala.
Coalition and Iraqi forces also hit al-Qaida in Iraq July 26, detaining five wanted men and 15 additional suspected terrorists in central and northern Iraq.
In a precision operation in Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted man who is reportedly part of a group that builds trigger components for bombs used in al-Qaida attacks. Another Baghdadi allegedly tied to terrorist bombing and propaganda operations was captured, along with four additional suspects.
South of Baghdad, coalition forces detained a dozen suspects, including a wanted man, during continued operations. The wanted man is believed to be an al-Qaida leader responsible for providing security for terrorist operations.
Coalition forces also continued to target terror leaders in Mosul, capturing a wanted man believed to work directly for al-Qaida leaders in the city. He also reportedly has knowledge of terrorist hideouts across northern Iraq.
Southwest of Tikrit, coalition forces captured a man who allegedly helps move foreign terrorists through the Tigris River Valley. The man is also suspected of conspiring with a bombing network that operates in Bayji.
A concerned citizen reported a roadside bomb Iraqi Police in the Karadah district of eastern Baghdad July 25, providing an example of average Iraqis feeling safer.
Acting on another citizen tip, National Police and Multinational Division–Baghdad soldiers seized a weapons cache in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad July 25.
They uncovered a cache during a combined search operation in the Kamaliyah area. The cache consisted of 2,000 AK-47 ammunition rounds; 1,000 machine gun rounds; one rocket nose cone and one mortar round of undetermined size.
Iraqi police also discovered three improvised explosive devices during combat patrols in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad July 25.
Also in Baghdad Iraqi and U.S. soldiers discovered weapons caches as they continued operations to increase security July 25.
Iraqi National Police and Multinational Division–Baghdad soldiers seized a massive weapons cache in the Kadhamiyah district of Baghdad July 24.
The cache consisted of 71 blocks of Iranian C-4 explosives; 16 60mm high-explosive Iranian mortars; 11 explosively formed projectiles; an improvised claymore mine; 42 mortar rounds; 31 85mm rockets; eight grenades; two 73mm rockets; 11 40mm high explosive projectiles; four 75mm fragmentary rockets; four rocket propelled grenade launchers; 22 rocket propellant charges; approximately 40 pounds of explosives; approximately 5,000 feet of command wire; mortars; and other items.
In other operations on July 24 and 25, coalition forces disrupted suspected al-Qaeda terrorist leadership and bombing networks during operations in central and northern Iraq Thursday and Friday, detaining 21 suspected terrorists.
Two wanted men in Mosul are in Coalition custody after operations July 25. Coalition forces captured an alleged leader who reportedly coordinates suicide bombing attacks and foreign terrorist movement in northern Iraq. He was captured with one additional suspect. A separate precision operation netted a man wanted for his suspected ties to senior leaders of the al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist organization.
About 90 kilometers south, in Sharqat, coalition forces conducted a precision operation July 25, capturing a suspected leader in the area's al-Qaeda network. The man allegedly spies on Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces to facilitate his cell's attacks against them.
A series of raids July 24 and 25 targeted an AQI leader with suspected longstanding ties to bombings and attacks south of Baghdad. Coalition forces detained 17 suspects in the operations.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq releases.)
July 27, 2008 - Coalition and Iraqi forces continue to push terrorists and criminal in operations throughout Iraq. Coalition forces captured two suspected "Special Groups" leaders in Baghdad today. Special groups criminal are members of violent organizations, possibly trained and supported by Iran. These key leaders were taken in the Rusafa district of Baghdad.
Coalition and Iraqi forces also conducted operations over the weekend discovering a number of arms caches, capturing al-Qaida terrorists, discovering roadside bombs and attacking terror and criminal networks.
In Rusafa, coalition forces used intelligence information, to locate and capture an Iranian-trained senior leader of Special Groups criminals. The agent of Iran is responsible for attacks against Iraqi security and coalition forces as well as kidnappings and smuggling of weapons from Iran to Iraq. He was captured without incident.
Coalition forces also captured another Special Groups criminal in a separate Rusafa district operation. He is a senior leader responsible for supplying weapons, money and logistical support to subordinate Special Groups commanders. He also provides fighters as reinforcements to areas in need – making his role crucial for sustained operations by Special Groups in the area. He, also, was captured without incident.
The Special Groups took another hit when Iraqi special operations forces detained two other criminals in Baghdad, July 24 and 25.
One of those detained was associated with improvised rocket-assisted mortar attacks. The other man is reportedly responsible for weapons trafficking from Iran into Diyala.
Coalition and Iraqi forces also hit al-Qaida in Iraq July 26, detaining five wanted men and 15 additional suspected terrorists in central and northern Iraq.
In a precision operation in Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted man who is reportedly part of a group that builds trigger components for bombs used in al-Qaida attacks. Another Baghdadi allegedly tied to terrorist bombing and propaganda operations was captured, along with four additional suspects.
South of Baghdad, coalition forces detained a dozen suspects, including a wanted man, during continued operations. The wanted man is believed to be an al-Qaida leader responsible for providing security for terrorist operations.
Coalition forces also continued to target terror leaders in Mosul, capturing a wanted man believed to work directly for al-Qaida leaders in the city. He also reportedly has knowledge of terrorist hideouts across northern Iraq.
Southwest of Tikrit, coalition forces captured a man who allegedly helps move foreign terrorists through the Tigris River Valley. The man is also suspected of conspiring with a bombing network that operates in Bayji.
A concerned citizen reported a roadside bomb Iraqi Police in the Karadah district of eastern Baghdad July 25, providing an example of average Iraqis feeling safer.
Acting on another citizen tip, National Police and Multinational Division–Baghdad soldiers seized a weapons cache in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad July 25.
They uncovered a cache during a combined search operation in the Kamaliyah area. The cache consisted of 2,000 AK-47 ammunition rounds; 1,000 machine gun rounds; one rocket nose cone and one mortar round of undetermined size.
Iraqi police also discovered three improvised explosive devices during combat patrols in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad July 25.
Also in Baghdad Iraqi and U.S. soldiers discovered weapons caches as they continued operations to increase security July 25.
Iraqi National Police and Multinational Division–Baghdad soldiers seized a massive weapons cache in the Kadhamiyah district of Baghdad July 24.
The cache consisted of 71 blocks of Iranian C-4 explosives; 16 60mm high-explosive Iranian mortars; 11 explosively formed projectiles; an improvised claymore mine; 42 mortar rounds; 31 85mm rockets; eight grenades; two 73mm rockets; 11 40mm high explosive projectiles; four 75mm fragmentary rockets; four rocket propelled grenade launchers; 22 rocket propellant charges; approximately 40 pounds of explosives; approximately 5,000 feet of command wire; mortars; and other items.
In other operations on July 24 and 25, coalition forces disrupted suspected al-Qaeda terrorist leadership and bombing networks during operations in central and northern Iraq Thursday and Friday, detaining 21 suspected terrorists.
Two wanted men in Mosul are in Coalition custody after operations July 25. Coalition forces captured an alleged leader who reportedly coordinates suicide bombing attacks and foreign terrorist movement in northern Iraq. He was captured with one additional suspect. A separate precision operation netted a man wanted for his suspected ties to senior leaders of the al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist organization.
About 90 kilometers south, in Sharqat, coalition forces conducted a precision operation July 25, capturing a suspected leader in the area's al-Qaeda network. The man allegedly spies on Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces to facilitate his cell's attacks against them.
A series of raids July 24 and 25 targeted an AQI leader with suspected longstanding ties to bombings and attacks south of Baghdad. Coalition forces detained 17 suspects in the operations.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq releases.)
General Details Security Improvements in Iraq's Northern Provinces
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
July 27, 2008 - The security situation in Iraq's northern provinces has improved, but Iraqi and coalition troops will continue to pursue al-Qaida in Iraq and other criminal groups, the U.S. commander in the region said during a briefing in Baghdad today. Army Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, the commander of Multinational Division – North, told reporters that the number of security incidents in his area of operations has dropped from more than 2,600 in June 2007 to 650 in June 2008. The numbers for July 2008 continue to show a reduction.
Hertling said Iraqi commanders will launch a major offensive against al-Qaida and criminal gangs in Diyala province next month. U.S. forces will launch a concurrent offensive – Operation Iron Pursuit – against al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists who are seeking sanctuary in the desert.
The success of the surge in Baghdad forced al-Qaida in Iraq to move out of the city mostly to the northern provinces of Diyala, Ninewah and Salah ad Din. These areas became the main battlefield as coalition, and increasingly, Iraqi forces hunted down the terrorists and killed or captured them. The cities are now "reasonably secure," Hertling said, and the Iraqi and coalition forces can shift focus to hunting down al-Qaida and its allies outside the cities.
Other indicators also point to progress, Hertling said. The number of roadside bombs declined by 50 percent since February 2008 from 950 to 430.
"That's not to say we still don't have threats," the general said. Suicide vest attacks and car bombs remain a problem in Diyala and the city of Mosul. On July 24, a woman wearing a suicide vest killed eight Iraqis and wounded 30 others in Baquba. Last month another suicide bomber killed Iraqi police and recruits in the city.
The number of Iraqis killed by terrorists wearing suicide vests has been about 250. Car bombs killed a further 1,500.
"These are random, violent acts conducted by these violent terrorists and that's why we are not only continuing to go after those who do these things, but the networks that support them," he said.
Iraqi and coalition forces are continuing Operation Mother of Two Springs in Ninewah and Mosul.
"We are beginning ... Operations Omens of Prosperity ... in Diyala province to begin in early August," he said. While the Iraqi Army will lead the operations, coalition forces will continue to partner with Iraqi forces.
Coalition forces will go after the support zones for al-Qaida in Iraq. "Our message in conducting that operation is we have secured the key cities of the north and we have seen al-Qaida continue to be pushed into the support zones – the areas of the desert – and we will continue to relentlessly pursue them into those areas," Hertling said.
In addition to their own operation, U.S. forces will partner with Iraqi soldiers and police units to provide them enablers: fire support, intelligence, artillery, some logistics, engineers and some aviation, Hertling said.
security is better in the north because of the increased number of Iraqi police and Iraqi Army units, Hertling said. Still the security forces are undermanned and can use more capabilities.
The Iraqi Ground Forces Command has moved a headquarters to the area outside Baquba.
"They will be bringing together in early August the elements of four Iraq Army divisions, some additional Iraqi National Police and they will be linked very closely with police forces in Diyala itself," Hertling said. The Iraqi command is working closely with local Sons of Iraq groups.
This improved security has allowed a greater economic development in the four northern provinces. The markets are open, the roads are being paved and electric lines going up and being repaired. Oil exports are at an all-time high, Hertling said. "This allows for greater political interaction between the government of Iraq and the provinces as they ready for the up-coming vote," he said.
Al-Qaida is not giving up easily, the general said. There are intimidation tactics going on throughout the northern provinces, but especially in Mosul – Iraq's second-largest city. The terrorists have been targeting Iraqi security force, the police and Iraqi intellectuals.
"There are still attacks in Mosul, but they have been greatly reduced," Hertling said. Again, the markets are open, but more needs to be done to improve the employment situation in the region. "The combination of the Iraqi security plan has significantly reduced the attacks and the flow of insurgents into the city," he said. "What needs to happen now is the Iraqi government and the provincial governments is continuing to improve the economic conditions of the city."
And insurgents are increasingly allying with the Iraqi government. "More than 2,100 former insurgents in our area that have turned themselves in and said, 'I don't want to fight anymore, I'm tired of running, I want to be part of the political process,'" Hertling said. "More of that will happen as people see the increasing strength of the Iraqi government."
The upcoming operations will cover an area the size of New Jersey, the general said. "It's hot out there and dusty," he said. "The temperature the last time I was in Baquba was 127 degrees."
Hertling said much remains to be done in the region. "There will be continued operations as long as the Iraqi people are threatened," he said.
American Forces Press Service
July 27, 2008 - The security situation in Iraq's northern provinces has improved, but Iraqi and coalition troops will continue to pursue al-Qaida in Iraq and other criminal groups, the U.S. commander in the region said during a briefing in Baghdad today. Army Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, the commander of Multinational Division – North, told reporters that the number of security incidents in his area of operations has dropped from more than 2,600 in June 2007 to 650 in June 2008. The numbers for July 2008 continue to show a reduction.
Hertling said Iraqi commanders will launch a major offensive against al-Qaida and criminal gangs in Diyala province next month. U.S. forces will launch a concurrent offensive – Operation Iron Pursuit – against al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists who are seeking sanctuary in the desert.
The success of the surge in Baghdad forced al-Qaida in Iraq to move out of the city mostly to the northern provinces of Diyala, Ninewah and Salah ad Din. These areas became the main battlefield as coalition, and increasingly, Iraqi forces hunted down the terrorists and killed or captured them. The cities are now "reasonably secure," Hertling said, and the Iraqi and coalition forces can shift focus to hunting down al-Qaida and its allies outside the cities.
Other indicators also point to progress, Hertling said. The number of roadside bombs declined by 50 percent since February 2008 from 950 to 430.
"That's not to say we still don't have threats," the general said. Suicide vest attacks and car bombs remain a problem in Diyala and the city of Mosul. On July 24, a woman wearing a suicide vest killed eight Iraqis and wounded 30 others in Baquba. Last month another suicide bomber killed Iraqi police and recruits in the city.
The number of Iraqis killed by terrorists wearing suicide vests has been about 250. Car bombs killed a further 1,500.
"These are random, violent acts conducted by these violent terrorists and that's why we are not only continuing to go after those who do these things, but the networks that support them," he said.
Iraqi and coalition forces are continuing Operation Mother of Two Springs in Ninewah and Mosul.
"We are beginning ... Operations Omens of Prosperity ... in Diyala province to begin in early August," he said. While the Iraqi Army will lead the operations, coalition forces will continue to partner with Iraqi forces.
Coalition forces will go after the support zones for al-Qaida in Iraq. "Our message in conducting that operation is we have secured the key cities of the north and we have seen al-Qaida continue to be pushed into the support zones – the areas of the desert – and we will continue to relentlessly pursue them into those areas," Hertling said.
In addition to their own operation, U.S. forces will partner with Iraqi soldiers and police units to provide them enablers: fire support, intelligence, artillery, some logistics, engineers and some aviation, Hertling said.
security is better in the north because of the increased number of Iraqi police and Iraqi Army units, Hertling said. Still the security forces are undermanned and can use more capabilities.
The Iraqi Ground Forces Command has moved a headquarters to the area outside Baquba.
"They will be bringing together in early August the elements of four Iraq Army divisions, some additional Iraqi National Police and they will be linked very closely with police forces in Diyala itself," Hertling said. The Iraqi command is working closely with local Sons of Iraq groups.
This improved security has allowed a greater economic development in the four northern provinces. The markets are open, the roads are being paved and electric lines going up and being repaired. Oil exports are at an all-time high, Hertling said. "This allows for greater political interaction between the government of Iraq and the provinces as they ready for the up-coming vote," he said.
Al-Qaida is not giving up easily, the general said. There are intimidation tactics going on throughout the northern provinces, but especially in Mosul – Iraq's second-largest city. The terrorists have been targeting Iraqi security force, the police and Iraqi intellectuals.
"There are still attacks in Mosul, but they have been greatly reduced," Hertling said. Again, the markets are open, but more needs to be done to improve the employment situation in the region. "The combination of the Iraqi security plan has significantly reduced the attacks and the flow of insurgents into the city," he said. "What needs to happen now is the Iraqi government and the provincial governments is continuing to improve the economic conditions of the city."
And insurgents are increasingly allying with the Iraqi government. "More than 2,100 former insurgents in our area that have turned themselves in and said, 'I don't want to fight anymore, I'm tired of running, I want to be part of the political process,'" Hertling said. "More of that will happen as people see the increasing strength of the Iraqi government."
The upcoming operations will cover an area the size of New Jersey, the general said. "It's hot out there and dusty," he said. "The temperature the last time I was in Baquba was 127 degrees."
Hertling said much remains to be done in the region. "There will be continued operations as long as the Iraqi people are threatened," he said.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Gates Praises Air Force Trainees, Assesses Training Initiatives
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
July 24, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates got a glimpse today into major changes ahead in the Air Force's basic training program during a visit to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where he thanked trainees for their service and the contributions they soon will be making. Gates spent several hours at the San Antonio base known as "the Gateway to the Air Force," where about 600 new airmen graduate every week.
Despite pouring rain as the remnants of Hurricane Dolly moved through the region, the secretary toured the field training exercise area and watched trainees disassemble and reassemble M16 rifles and go through a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives chamber, reported Oscar Balladares, base spokesman. Gates also got a peek at the improvised-explosive-device training trail.
During the visit, Gates got a briefing on the Air Force's plans to add two weeks to its current six-and-a-half-week basic training program, Balladares said. The expansion, slated for early November, is designed to enhance airmen's warfighting skills with more training in weapons handling and maintenance, integrated base defense, and emergency medicine.
In some respects, the visit was a walk down memory lane for Gates, who received his Air Force commission at Lackland in 1967.
Speaking to trainees during the celebrated coin ceremony and retreat as they received their Airman's Coin in anticipation of their graduation tomorrow, Gates praised the airmen for volunteering to serve in the U.S. military.
"It takes uncommon perseverance to make it through basic training, especially in the Texas heat, just as it takes uncommon patriotism to make the decision to join the military in a time of war," he said.
Gates reminded the airmen they're joining an Air Force with a storied past, from the Berlin Airlift to dogfights over Korea to today's missions in support of the war on terror.
He noted that the Air Force has flown more than 1 million missions since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, including tens of thousands of sorties flown over U.S. skies to protect the homeland. Meanwhile, he told them, the Air Force's constant presence in Iraq and Afghanistan "has saved countless American lives [and] the lives of innocent civilians and has left terrorists and insurgents with little room to operate."
In addition, the U.S. Air Force has helped stand up both the Iraqi and Afghan air forces, basically from scratch, over the last two years, he said.
At the same time, the Air Force is taking on more and more varied operations than ever before, Gates said. He noted that more than 6,000 airmen are performing nontraditional missions on the ground, from detainee operations to explosive ordnance disposal or convoy security to leading provincial reconstruction teams.
"Put simply, without the Air Force's contributions in the skies and in many cases, on the ground, America's war effort would simply grind to a halt," Gates told the airmen. "Every soldier and Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan is profoundly grateful to have you overhead, watching out for them."
Gates reminded the airmen that basic training is just the first step in a path on which they will be big players in defending the United States and its interests, both at home and overseas. "It is no easy task, but it is a vital one if the United States is to remain safe, prosperous and strong," he said.
The secretary told reporters after the ceremony that he has great faith in the future of the Air Force and its new leadership.
After visiting Lackland, Gates traveled across town to Fort Sam Houston, where he visited wounded warriors at Brooke Army Medical Center.
American Forces Press Service
July 24, 2008 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates got a glimpse today into major changes ahead in the Air Force's basic training program during a visit to Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, where he thanked trainees for their service and the contributions they soon will be making. Gates spent several hours at the San Antonio base known as "the Gateway to the Air Force," where about 600 new airmen graduate every week.
Despite pouring rain as the remnants of Hurricane Dolly moved through the region, the secretary toured the field training exercise area and watched trainees disassemble and reassemble M16 rifles and go through a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives chamber, reported Oscar Balladares, base spokesman. Gates also got a peek at the improvised-explosive-device training trail.
During the visit, Gates got a briefing on the Air Force's plans to add two weeks to its current six-and-a-half-week basic training program, Balladares said. The expansion, slated for early November, is designed to enhance airmen's warfighting skills with more training in weapons handling and maintenance, integrated base defense, and emergency medicine.
In some respects, the visit was a walk down memory lane for Gates, who received his Air Force commission at Lackland in 1967.
Speaking to trainees during the celebrated coin ceremony and retreat as they received their Airman's Coin in anticipation of their graduation tomorrow, Gates praised the airmen for volunteering to serve in the U.S. military.
"It takes uncommon perseverance to make it through basic training, especially in the Texas heat, just as it takes uncommon patriotism to make the decision to join the military in a time of war," he said.
Gates reminded the airmen they're joining an Air Force with a storied past, from the Berlin Airlift to dogfights over Korea to today's missions in support of the war on terror.
He noted that the Air Force has flown more than 1 million missions since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, including tens of thousands of sorties flown over U.S. skies to protect the homeland. Meanwhile, he told them, the Air Force's constant presence in Iraq and Afghanistan "has saved countless American lives [and] the lives of innocent civilians and has left terrorists and insurgents with little room to operate."
In addition, the U.S. Air Force has helped stand up both the Iraqi and Afghan air forces, basically from scratch, over the last two years, he said.
At the same time, the Air Force is taking on more and more varied operations than ever before, Gates said. He noted that more than 6,000 airmen are performing nontraditional missions on the ground, from detainee operations to explosive ordnance disposal or convoy security to leading provincial reconstruction teams.
"Put simply, without the Air Force's contributions in the skies and in many cases, on the ground, America's war effort would simply grind to a halt," Gates told the airmen. "Every soldier and Marine in Iraq and Afghanistan is profoundly grateful to have you overhead, watching out for them."
Gates reminded the airmen that basic training is just the first step in a path on which they will be big players in defending the United States and its interests, both at home and overseas. "It is no easy task, but it is a vital one if the United States is to remain safe, prosperous and strong," he said.
The secretary told reporters after the ceremony that he has great faith in the future of the Air Force and its new leadership.
After visiting Lackland, Gates traveled across town to Fort Sam Houston, where he visited wounded warriors at Brooke Army Medical Center.
Al-Qaida 'Severely Disrupted' in Iraq's Babil Province
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
July 24, 2008 - Al-Qaida terrorists have been largely marginalized in Iraq's Babil province, thanks to the joint efforts of Iraqi and U.S. security forces, as well as local "Sons of Iraq" citizen security groups, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today. "The organization related to al-Qaida is severely disrupted, ... as well as the [extremist] militia" in Babil province," Army Col. Tom James, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, said during a satellite-carried news conference with Pentagon reporters.
"Overall, we are extremely optimistic about the security situation in Babil province, because of the professional actions of the Iraqi security forces and the population's strong desire for peace and stability," James said.
About 1.2 million people live in Babil province, located about 50 kilometers south of Baghdad, James said. Babil's population is about 70 percent Shiia Muslim and 30 percent Sunni Muslim. Hillah is the provincial capital.
The improved security, he said, "will stimulate positive governance and economic growth for the future, and eventually will result in irreversible, sustainable security."
James complimented his soldiers' ability "to adapt rapidly to extremely complex situations," and he also saluted Iraqi soldiers' ability to adjust to conditions.
The last of the U.S.-provided surge forces recently departed Iraq, but improved Iraqi security forces are picking up the slack, James said. With the departure of the surge troops, "Iraqi security forces are at a [capability] level to be able to handle that," he added.
The improved security is driving reconstruction and economic progress, James said, noting that 186 Iraqi-government-sponsored economic programs are under way in the province.
U.S. and Iraqi forces are helping Iraqi government officials prepare for provincial elections slated for later in the year. Twenty-three Iraqi voter registration sites have been set up in Babil province, James noted.
James was accompanied at the news conference by Brig. Gen. Abdul Amir, commander of 31st Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division. The U.S. and Iraqi soldiers work together, along with Iraqi police and Sons of Iraq members, to conduct aggressive security operations across Babil province, James said.
Working in tandem, U.S. and Iraqi security forces "were able to disable all these [al-Qaida] cells and enemies," Amir said. Most of the al-Qaida leaders in his area of operations, he said, are now in detention.
Today, in northern Babil province, "there is no threat from al-Qaida" or extremist militia, Amir asserted.
The reduced incidence of al-Qaida attacks, especially those in the form of improvised explosive devices, enables U.S.-supported Iraqi security forces to focus resources to quickly disrupt enemy activity, James said. Al-Qaida's weakened state in Babil province "is obvious to us, based on their ability to deliver an effective IED" attack, he explained.
Previously, the colonel explained, al-Qaida operatives in the province typically deployed suicide-vest bombers and used deeply buried IEDs.
"We're not seeing those any more," James said. Explosive devices now employed by al-Qaida in his area of operations, he said, are "much more primitive and much less effective."
The few remaining al-Qaida agents in Babil province are attempting to use their waning power to target Sons of Iraq leadership, with little effect, James said.
"That's the primary threat that we've seen over the last couple of weeks," James said.
Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces, he said, continue to zero in on remaining al-Qaida elements in the province. James saluted the security contributions provided by Iraqi soldiers, police and Sons of Iraq members.
"I am honored to serve with the Iraqi security forces; they are true patriots, and we have built relationships that will last a lifetime," James said. "I thank them and their families and the people of Iraq for their sacrifices in pursuit of a safe and secure country, so that democracy and freedom can flourish.
"I would also like to thank the American people," James continued, "especially the families of our servicemen and women, for their sacrifices and their support as well, as we're forward-deployed here."
The colonel also saluted "our servicemen and women for their contribution to freedom and those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice on the field of battle, and that is both, Iraqi Army as well as coalition-force and U.S. forces, that have fought hand in hand to make Iraq a secure place."
In turn, Amir expressed his gratitude for U.S. military help in ridding his country of terrorists and insurgents.
"I send my greeting to all the families of the 4th Brigade soldiers who are sacrificing with their lives ... for helping us to reform and rebuild our armed forces," the Iraqi general said.
"And, I am hoping that they will go home safely and see their families," Amir said.
American Forces Press Service
July 24, 2008 - Al-Qaida terrorists have been largely marginalized in Iraq's Babil province, thanks to the joint efforts of Iraqi and U.S. security forces, as well as local "Sons of Iraq" citizen security groups, a senior U.S. military officer posted in Iraq said today. "The organization related to al-Qaida is severely disrupted, ... as well as the [extremist] militia" in Babil province," Army Col. Tom James, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team, said during a satellite-carried news conference with Pentagon reporters.
"Overall, we are extremely optimistic about the security situation in Babil province, because of the professional actions of the Iraqi security forces and the population's strong desire for peace and stability," James said.
About 1.2 million people live in Babil province, located about 50 kilometers south of Baghdad, James said. Babil's population is about 70 percent Shiia Muslim and 30 percent Sunni Muslim. Hillah is the provincial capital.
The improved security, he said, "will stimulate positive governance and economic growth for the future, and eventually will result in irreversible, sustainable security."
James complimented his soldiers' ability "to adapt rapidly to extremely complex situations," and he also saluted Iraqi soldiers' ability to adjust to conditions.
The last of the U.S.-provided surge forces recently departed Iraq, but improved Iraqi security forces are picking up the slack, James said. With the departure of the surge troops, "Iraqi security forces are at a [capability] level to be able to handle that," he added.
The improved security is driving reconstruction and economic progress, James said, noting that 186 Iraqi-government-sponsored economic programs are under way in the province.
U.S. and Iraqi forces are helping Iraqi government officials prepare for provincial elections slated for later in the year. Twenty-three Iraqi voter registration sites have been set up in Babil province, James noted.
James was accompanied at the news conference by Brig. Gen. Abdul Amir, commander of 31st Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division. The U.S. and Iraqi soldiers work together, along with Iraqi police and Sons of Iraq members, to conduct aggressive security operations across Babil province, James said.
Working in tandem, U.S. and Iraqi security forces "were able to disable all these [al-Qaida] cells and enemies," Amir said. Most of the al-Qaida leaders in his area of operations, he said, are now in detention.
Today, in northern Babil province, "there is no threat from al-Qaida" or extremist militia, Amir asserted.
The reduced incidence of al-Qaida attacks, especially those in the form of improvised explosive devices, enables U.S.-supported Iraqi security forces to focus resources to quickly disrupt enemy activity, James said. Al-Qaida's weakened state in Babil province "is obvious to us, based on their ability to deliver an effective IED" attack, he explained.
Previously, the colonel explained, al-Qaida operatives in the province typically deployed suicide-vest bombers and used deeply buried IEDs.
"We're not seeing those any more," James said. Explosive devices now employed by al-Qaida in his area of operations, he said, are "much more primitive and much less effective."
The few remaining al-Qaida agents in Babil province are attempting to use their waning power to target Sons of Iraq leadership, with little effect, James said.
"That's the primary threat that we've seen over the last couple of weeks," James said.
Meanwhile, Iraqi security forces, he said, continue to zero in on remaining al-Qaida elements in the province. James saluted the security contributions provided by Iraqi soldiers, police and Sons of Iraq members.
"I am honored to serve with the Iraqi security forces; they are true patriots, and we have built relationships that will last a lifetime," James said. "I thank them and their families and the people of Iraq for their sacrifices in pursuit of a safe and secure country, so that democracy and freedom can flourish.
"I would also like to thank the American people," James continued, "especially the families of our servicemen and women, for their sacrifices and their support as well, as we're forward-deployed here."
The colonel also saluted "our servicemen and women for their contribution to freedom and those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice on the field of battle, and that is both, Iraqi Army as well as coalition-force and U.S. forces, that have fought hand in hand to make Iraq a secure place."
In turn, Amir expressed his gratitude for U.S. military help in ridding his country of terrorists and insurgents.
"I send my greeting to all the families of the 4th Brigade soldiers who are sacrificing with their lives ... for helping us to reform and rebuild our armed forces," the Iraqi general said.
"And, I am hoping that they will go home safely and see their families," Amir said.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Troops in Iraq Capture Five Suspects, Seize Weapons
American Forces Press Service
July 23, 2008 - Coalition and Iraqi forces caught five suspected terrorists and seized two weapons caches in Iraq over the past three days, military officials said. In separate raids in Baghdad today, troops captured a suspected kidnapping cell member and nabbed a man with alleged ties to al-Qaida leaders in Iraq and other countries. The operations targeted al-Qaida in Iraq's financial infrastructure around the Iraqi capital, military officials said.
In a related operation yesterday, coalition forces detained an alleged al-Qaida in Iraq financier and one additional suspect during a raid near Samarra, 70 miles north of Baghdad.
Elsewhere in Iraq yesterday, Iraqi security forces discovered two munitions caches in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. An Iraqi citizen in the district's Bayaa community turned over an 82 mm mortar round to Iraqi National Police. An explosive ordnance disposal unit removed the weapon. In the Saydiyah neighborhood about an hour later, Iraqi soldiers found two rocket-propelled grenades and two sticks of TNT in a house.
"The Iraqi security forces are continuously patrolling the Rashid district every day to provide a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people," said Army Maj. Dave Olson, a spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team.
During operations July 21 in Baghdad's Rashid district, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained a known member of an Iranian-backed "special group" in the Abu Tshir community. military officials consider the detainee a roadside-bomb expert.
"Any time our soldiers detain a known, high-level criminal, we are reducing violence on the streets of Baghdad," Olson said. "Our efforts are focused on providing a safe and secure environment for the 1.5 million citizens of southern Baghdad."
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
July 23, 2008 - Coalition and Iraqi forces caught five suspected terrorists and seized two weapons caches in Iraq over the past three days, military officials said. In separate raids in Baghdad today, troops captured a suspected kidnapping cell member and nabbed a man with alleged ties to al-Qaida leaders in Iraq and other countries. The operations targeted al-Qaida in Iraq's financial infrastructure around the Iraqi capital, military officials said.
In a related operation yesterday, coalition forces detained an alleged al-Qaida in Iraq financier and one additional suspect during a raid near Samarra, 70 miles north of Baghdad.
Elsewhere in Iraq yesterday, Iraqi security forces discovered two munitions caches in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. An Iraqi citizen in the district's Bayaa community turned over an 82 mm mortar round to Iraqi National Police. An explosive ordnance disposal unit removed the weapon. In the Saydiyah neighborhood about an hour later, Iraqi soldiers found two rocket-propelled grenades and two sticks of TNT in a house.
"The Iraqi security forces are continuously patrolling the Rashid district every day to provide a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people," said Army Maj. Dave Olson, a spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team.
During operations July 21 in Baghdad's Rashid district, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained a known member of an Iranian-backed "special group" in the Abu Tshir community. military officials consider the detainee a roadside-bomb expert.
"Any time our soldiers detain a known, high-level criminal, we are reducing violence on the streets of Baghdad," Olson said. "Our efforts are focused on providing a safe and secure environment for the 1.5 million citizens of southern Baghdad."
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)
Mullen Discusses Iraq, Afghanistan, Election in Interview
By Army Staff Sgt. Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service
July 23, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke out on the need for additional troops in Afghanistan, potential troop reductions in Iraq, and the upcoming U.S. presidential election during a wide-ranging "Newsmakers" interview on PBS's "NewsHour With Jim Lehrer" last night. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen noted recent progress in Iraq, saying "the security has improved remarkably." But when asked about the possibility of lower troop levels there and sending more troops to Afghanistan, he said it's too soon to make any decisions. Military leaders in Washington and Iraq will continue evaluating improvements based on conditions on the ground, he said.
"If we are able to sustain this kind of improvement in security, I'd have expectations that this fall I'd be able to make recommendations to President Bush that we can [draw down troops in Iraq]," Mullen said. "It would depend on how conditions continue to evolve."
If security continues to improve, more troops will be available for missions in Afghanistan, where coalition forces are seeing "more sophisticated attacks more often by terrorists," the admiral said. He said he hopes eventually to increase troop levels there by three brigades, or 10,000 troops. Two brigades would focus on counterinsurgency operations, while another brigade-size element would train Afghan police, he said.
Coalition forces in Afghanistan now are challenged with a recent spike in violence and an underdeveloped police force and government. Also, terrorists have found safe havens along the Pakistani border, and because of a lack of border security by the new Pakistani government, they are able to flow more freely in and out of Afghanistan, Mullen said.
Coalition commanders in Afghanistan have noted success in many areas, however, but still feel the need for more troops, the chairman said. Currently, only two U.S. Marine battalions -- about 2,500 Marines -- are filling that void. One is training Afghan police, and the other is conducting combat operations.
"Clearly, we are watching [insurgent activities in Afghanistan] very closely," Mullen said. "We are concerned about the increase, the improvements, in the sophisticated attacks. And until we get to a point [in Iraq] where we can reduce [Military] commitment, we won't have significant additional troops to add in Afghanistan."
Additional troops in Afghanistan may have a similar outcome to the same strategy that has proven successful in Iraq, the chairman said. He credited the troop surge in Iraq for being the foundation in a combination of efforts that led the country to its current state.
"The five brigades that were the additional surge brigades made a huge difference, and I would argue that they put us in a position now that not many of us would have imagined we could be 12 months ago," he said.
Mullen said the additional troops provided security for political actions to take place and for the economy to move in the right direction while giving Iraqi security forces the opportunity to train and mature.
"[Progress in Iraq] has been a number of things," he said, "but more than anything else, I think the underpinning of that has been the surge and the security provided for the opportunities that are there now."
However, as Mullen and the U.S. Military focus on the current happenings in Middle East, Lehrer observed the possibility of their mission shifting as early as next year. The two leading candidates for the upcoming presidential election differ greatly in their opinions concerning the U.S. Military's stance in the Middle East.
"I think it's really important for the Military to remain neutral in this political season," Mullen said. "And in maintaining that position, we carry out the mission that we have right now."
Current priorities put the focus on Iraq first, Afghanistan second and then on building "dwell time" for troops at their home stations between deployments, Mullen said.
"My mission is to continue to evaluate conditions and to give my best advice to President Bush, and I'll continue to do that," he said.
Mullen said he'd have no issues serving under any president. "Clearly, we're going to have a new president in January. I'll get my mission from whoever that president may be, and I'll give him my best Military advice," the admiral said. "I'll get my direction from him, and I'll carry that out."
American Forces Press Service
July 23, 2008 - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff spoke out on the need for additional troops in Afghanistan, potential troop reductions in Iraq, and the upcoming U.S. presidential election during a wide-ranging "Newsmakers" interview on PBS's "NewsHour With Jim Lehrer" last night. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen noted recent progress in Iraq, saying "the security has improved remarkably." But when asked about the possibility of lower troop levels there and sending more troops to Afghanistan, he said it's too soon to make any decisions. Military leaders in Washington and Iraq will continue evaluating improvements based on conditions on the ground, he said.
"If we are able to sustain this kind of improvement in security, I'd have expectations that this fall I'd be able to make recommendations to President Bush that we can [draw down troops in Iraq]," Mullen said. "It would depend on how conditions continue to evolve."
If security continues to improve, more troops will be available for missions in Afghanistan, where coalition forces are seeing "more sophisticated attacks more often by terrorists," the admiral said. He said he hopes eventually to increase troop levels there by three brigades, or 10,000 troops. Two brigades would focus on counterinsurgency operations, while another brigade-size element would train Afghan police, he said.
Coalition forces in Afghanistan now are challenged with a recent spike in violence and an underdeveloped police force and government. Also, terrorists have found safe havens along the Pakistani border, and because of a lack of border security by the new Pakistani government, they are able to flow more freely in and out of Afghanistan, Mullen said.
Coalition commanders in Afghanistan have noted success in many areas, however, but still feel the need for more troops, the chairman said. Currently, only two U.S. Marine battalions -- about 2,500 Marines -- are filling that void. One is training Afghan police, and the other is conducting combat operations.
"Clearly, we are watching [insurgent activities in Afghanistan] very closely," Mullen said. "We are concerned about the increase, the improvements, in the sophisticated attacks. And until we get to a point [in Iraq] where we can reduce [Military] commitment, we won't have significant additional troops to add in Afghanistan."
Additional troops in Afghanistan may have a similar outcome to the same strategy that has proven successful in Iraq, the chairman said. He credited the troop surge in Iraq for being the foundation in a combination of efforts that led the country to its current state.
"The five brigades that were the additional surge brigades made a huge difference, and I would argue that they put us in a position now that not many of us would have imagined we could be 12 months ago," he said.
Mullen said the additional troops provided security for political actions to take place and for the economy to move in the right direction while giving Iraqi security forces the opportunity to train and mature.
"[Progress in Iraq] has been a number of things," he said, "but more than anything else, I think the underpinning of that has been the surge and the security provided for the opportunities that are there now."
However, as Mullen and the U.S. Military focus on the current happenings in Middle East, Lehrer observed the possibility of their mission shifting as early as next year. The two leading candidates for the upcoming presidential election differ greatly in their opinions concerning the U.S. Military's stance in the Middle East.
"I think it's really important for the Military to remain neutral in this political season," Mullen said. "And in maintaining that position, we carry out the mission that we have right now."
Current priorities put the focus on Iraq first, Afghanistan second and then on building "dwell time" for troops at their home stations between deployments, Mullen said.
"My mission is to continue to evaluate conditions and to give my best advice to President Bush, and I'll continue to do that," he said.
Mullen said he'd have no issues serving under any president. "Clearly, we're going to have a new president in January. I'll get my mission from whoever that president may be, and I'll give him my best Military advice," the admiral said. "I'll get my direction from him, and I'll carry that out."
CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- July 23, 2008
Georgia reports two cases of anthrax
“Two cases of anthrax have been registered in western Georgia's Imereti Region, the national disease control center said on Wednesday. Two villagers from the region's Zestaponi District became infected after contact with a sick cow. ‘After putting the cow down, they discovered signs of the disease and buried the animal,’ the center's chief, Paata Imnadze, said. ‘Several days after, they were admitted to hospital with anthrax.’ Both patients are currently in a stable condition.” (RIA Novosti; 23July08) http://en.rian.ru/world/20080723/114765125.html
Bioterrorism Threat Is Disputed
“William R. Clark, the chair emeritus of immunology at the University of California, doesn't think that bioterrorism is a serious threat, right now. He just wrote a book on the politics of bioterrorism called Bracing for Armegeddon? In an interview with Matt Palmquist in May, Professor Clark explained how he really feels about reports of a bioterrorism threat […].” (About.com; 23July08; Amy Zalman, Ph.D.) http://terrorism.about.com/b/2008/07/23/bioterror-threat-is-hotly-debated.htm
FDA [Food & Drug Administration] Finds Salmonella Strain on Jalapeno Pepper
“More than 1,200 Americans have gotten sick and two people have died after eating produce contaminated with Salmonella Saintpaul. With an investigation spanning many weeks, food safety regulators have had a challenging time trying to track suspected tomatoes and peppers up or down the supply chain, hampered by paper records and repacking practices that effectively hide the identity of produce in the distribution chain. Today FDA announced an important breakthrough in the case: A Jalapeno pepper from a Mexican farm -- repacked at a Texas distribution facility -- has been found with the identical strain fingerprint of Salmonella as the human victims.” (CSPI Newsroom; 21July08) http://cspinet.org/new/200807213.html
Testimony of Jeffrey W. Runge, MD before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology
“Good morning Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Subcommittee on this important and timely issue. My colleagues and I have testified before your Subcommittee on several occasions on this topic, and I appreciate your continued interest in ensuring that an outbreak of a disease, intentional or natural in origin, does not threaten our Homeland Security, economic stability, and our Nation's critical infrastructures and key resources. I am thus pleased to have the opportunity to share our views with you and your constituents through this hearing in Providence, RI.” (Homeland Security; 22July08) http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/testimony/testimony_1216677175660.shtm
Dr. Jeffrey W.] Runge [of the Department of Homeland Security] Stresses Threat of Anthrax Attack
“Al Qaeda continues to plot terror attacks that would include biological agents, and the terror group has focused specifically on the use of anthrax as a weapon, the chief medical officer at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told a congressional panel during a field hearing in Rhode Island Tuesday.” (HS Today; 23July08; Mickey McCarter) http://hstoday.us/content/view/4375/128/
Pentagon Slices and Dices DARPA [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency] Budget
“The Pentagon's storied research and development arm turned 50 years old this year, and its birthday present appears to be another $100 million in budget cuts, according to a Defense Department document provided to DANGER ROOM [Wired Magazine Blog Network]. Cognitive computing systems, which has previously been hit by congressional cuts, will lose another $13 million, while Network Centric Technology is sliced by $19 million. Another $18 million is being diced from biological warfare defense, and a big cut is taken out of DARPA's Electronics Technology program, which loses $26 million.” (Wired; 22July08; Sharon Weinberger) http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/07/pentagon-slices.html
Foreign-born TB [Tuberculosis] cases need better control, US says
“Tuberculosis cases continue to fall in the United States, but some immigrants have disturbingly high rates of the disease, according to a study released Tuesday that called for more aggressive action. TB rates were highest among residents from lower Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. Most drug-resistant TB cases also were from foreign-born residents, the study noted. The researchers called for wider testing, including efforts to seek out latent cases of TB from long-term immigrant residents in certain populations.” (FindLaw; 23July08; Lindsey Tanner) http://news.lp.findlaw.com/ap/o/1500/07-23-2008/20080723002006_17.html
Biofilms use chemical weapons
“Scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig have now identified one of the fundamental mechanisms used by the bacteria in biofilms to protect themselves against the attacking phagocytes. The scientists are now publishing their findings in the renowned specialist publication PLoS ONE, together with colleagues from Australia, Great Britain and the USA – the discovery being that biofilm bacteria use chemical weapons to defend themselves.” (Nanowerk News; 23July08) http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=6491.php
EMA [Emergency Management Agency] official loses $8,300 weapons detector
“A Delaware County Emergency Management official lost a chemical weapon detector worth $8,300 last month, reporting that it fell out his truck. Delaware County sheriff's investigators reported no leads recently in the case where Jeff Evans, EMA deputy director, reported the device lost while be was driving home to Anderson. […] The device detects chemical agents such as weaponized Sarin and VX nerve gases, and also has civilian uses to detect chemical spills.” (The Star Press; 22July08)
http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/NEWS01/807220318/1002
Court rejects appeal by bomb plotters
“Five men jailed last year for plotting an Al-Qaeda-linked bombing campaign lost an appeal against their convictions Wednesday.Omar Khyam, Waheed Mahmood, Jawad Akbar, Anthony Garcia and Salahuddin Amin were found guilty last April and jailed for a minimum of between 35 and 40 years for plotting to cause ‘indiscriminate death and suffering.’ […] One of the five also discussed trying to buy a radioactive ‘dirty bomb’ from the Russian mafia to be ‘bigger than 9/11’, but nothing appeared to have come from his enquiries, the trial was told.” (AFP; 23July2008) http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g9D5Cxun1qXFG-qyVcoAOKWFaCNw
Is Bioterrorism Threat Credible?
“Even terrorists play pranks on WMD use these days! Late May 2008 a purported terrorist video caught media attention and some serious coverage. As per the reports, the Al Qaeda video message urged Islamic jihadists to use ‘biological, chemical and nuclear weapons to attack the West.’ Experts suspecting the authenticity of the video message dismissed the threat as a prank and not ‘Qaedaesque’ enough to get scared. The big question is whether the threat of biological weapon use is real or a product of fearful future thinking? As far as terrorist groups are concerned, they not only wish to survive, but endeavor to thrive with continuous innovation and improvisation. The paucity of empirical data on terrorist use of biological weapons does not limit their future planning concerning biological weapon.” (Counterterrorism Blog; 22July08; Animesh
Roul)
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/07/is_bioterrorism_threat_credibl.php
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
“Two cases of anthrax have been registered in western Georgia's Imereti Region, the national disease control center said on Wednesday. Two villagers from the region's Zestaponi District became infected after contact with a sick cow. ‘After putting the cow down, they discovered signs of the disease and buried the animal,’ the center's chief, Paata Imnadze, said. ‘Several days after, they were admitted to hospital with anthrax.’ Both patients are currently in a stable condition.” (RIA Novosti; 23July08) http://en.rian.ru/world/20080723/114765125.html
Bioterrorism Threat Is Disputed
“William R. Clark, the chair emeritus of immunology at the University of California, doesn't think that bioterrorism is a serious threat, right now. He just wrote a book on the politics of bioterrorism called Bracing for Armegeddon? In an interview with Matt Palmquist in May, Professor Clark explained how he really feels about reports of a bioterrorism threat […].” (About.com; 23July08; Amy Zalman, Ph.D.) http://terrorism.about.com/b/2008/07/23/bioterror-threat-is-hotly-debated.htm
FDA [Food & Drug Administration] Finds Salmonella Strain on Jalapeno Pepper
“More than 1,200 Americans have gotten sick and two people have died after eating produce contaminated with Salmonella Saintpaul. With an investigation spanning many weeks, food safety regulators have had a challenging time trying to track suspected tomatoes and peppers up or down the supply chain, hampered by paper records and repacking practices that effectively hide the identity of produce in the distribution chain. Today FDA announced an important breakthrough in the case: A Jalapeno pepper from a Mexican farm -- repacked at a Texas distribution facility -- has been found with the identical strain fingerprint of Salmonella as the human victims.” (CSPI Newsroom; 21July08) http://cspinet.org/new/200807213.html
Testimony of Jeffrey W. Runge, MD before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology
“Good morning Mr. Chairman. Thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Subcommittee on this important and timely issue. My colleagues and I have testified before your Subcommittee on several occasions on this topic, and I appreciate your continued interest in ensuring that an outbreak of a disease, intentional or natural in origin, does not threaten our Homeland Security, economic stability, and our Nation's critical infrastructures and key resources. I am thus pleased to have the opportunity to share our views with you and your constituents through this hearing in Providence, RI.” (Homeland Security; 22July08) http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/testimony/testimony_1216677175660.shtm
Dr. Jeffrey W.] Runge [of the Department of Homeland Security] Stresses Threat of Anthrax Attack
“Al Qaeda continues to plot terror attacks that would include biological agents, and the terror group has focused specifically on the use of anthrax as a weapon, the chief medical officer at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told a congressional panel during a field hearing in Rhode Island Tuesday.” (HS Today; 23July08; Mickey McCarter) http://hstoday.us/content/view/4375/128/
Pentagon Slices and Dices DARPA [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency] Budget
“The Pentagon's storied research and development arm turned 50 years old this year, and its birthday present appears to be another $100 million in budget cuts, according to a Defense Department document provided to DANGER ROOM [Wired Magazine Blog Network]. Cognitive computing systems, which has previously been hit by congressional cuts, will lose another $13 million, while Network Centric Technology is sliced by $19 million. Another $18 million is being diced from biological warfare defense, and a big cut is taken out of DARPA's Electronics Technology program, which loses $26 million.” (Wired; 22July08; Sharon Weinberger) http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/07/pentagon-slices.html
Foreign-born TB [Tuberculosis] cases need better control, US says
“Tuberculosis cases continue to fall in the United States, but some immigrants have disturbingly high rates of the disease, according to a study released Tuesday that called for more aggressive action. TB rates were highest among residents from lower Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. Most drug-resistant TB cases also were from foreign-born residents, the study noted. The researchers called for wider testing, including efforts to seek out latent cases of TB from long-term immigrant residents in certain populations.” (FindLaw; 23July08; Lindsey Tanner) http://news.lp.findlaw.com/ap/o/1500/07-23-2008/20080723002006_17.html
Biofilms use chemical weapons
“Scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig have now identified one of the fundamental mechanisms used by the bacteria in biofilms to protect themselves against the attacking phagocytes. The scientists are now publishing their findings in the renowned specialist publication PLoS ONE, together with colleagues from Australia, Great Britain and the USA – the discovery being that biofilm bacteria use chemical weapons to defend themselves.” (Nanowerk News; 23July08) http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=6491.php
EMA [Emergency Management Agency] official loses $8,300 weapons detector
“A Delaware County Emergency Management official lost a chemical weapon detector worth $8,300 last month, reporting that it fell out his truck. Delaware County sheriff's investigators reported no leads recently in the case where Jeff Evans, EMA deputy director, reported the device lost while be was driving home to Anderson. […] The device detects chemical agents such as weaponized Sarin and VX nerve gases, and also has civilian uses to detect chemical spills.” (The Star Press; 22July08)
http://www.thestarpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/NEWS01/807220318/1002
Court rejects appeal by bomb plotters
“Five men jailed last year for plotting an Al-Qaeda-linked bombing campaign lost an appeal against their convictions Wednesday.Omar Khyam, Waheed Mahmood, Jawad Akbar, Anthony Garcia and Salahuddin Amin were found guilty last April and jailed for a minimum of between 35 and 40 years for plotting to cause ‘indiscriminate death and suffering.’ […] One of the five also discussed trying to buy a radioactive ‘dirty bomb’ from the Russian mafia to be ‘bigger than 9/11’, but nothing appeared to have come from his enquiries, the trial was told.” (AFP; 23July2008) http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g9D5Cxun1qXFG-qyVcoAOKWFaCNw
Is Bioterrorism Threat Credible?
“Even terrorists play pranks on WMD use these days! Late May 2008 a purported terrorist video caught media attention and some serious coverage. As per the reports, the Al Qaeda video message urged Islamic jihadists to use ‘biological, chemical and nuclear weapons to attack the West.’ Experts suspecting the authenticity of the video message dismissed the threat as a prank and not ‘Qaedaesque’ enough to get scared. The big question is whether the threat of biological weapon use is real or a product of fearful future thinking? As far as terrorist groups are concerned, they not only wish to survive, but endeavor to thrive with continuous innovation and improvisation. The paucity of empirical data on terrorist use of biological weapons does not limit their future planning concerning biological weapon.” (Counterterrorism Blog; 22July08; Animesh
Roul)
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/07/is_bioterrorism_threat_credibl.php
CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.
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