BALAD - U.S. SF destroyed an AQI training camp and large weapons cache during a multi-day op, April 2 to April 5, in the Jazeera Desert. The cache included more than 20,000 rounds of 14.5 mm ammo, SA-7 surface-to-air missiles, a SA-7 battery, 14.5 mm machine guns, 68 mm rockets, TNT, suicide-vest charges, hand grenades, 82 mm mortar tubes, 82 mm mortar rounds, a 120 mm mortar tube, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, RPG warheads, and homemade explosives materials.
The U.S. SF called for CF airstrikes to destroy the training compound. Five of 18 structures were completely destroyed and the weapons cache items were either destroyed or transported away from the site.
Baqubah SWAT unit detains six suspected AQI fighters
BALAD - The Baqubah SWAT unit, advised by U.S. SF, detained 6 suspected AQI fighters in an op in Baqubah's Shil'bah village, April 8. The AQI had been using the area as a base for IED and small-arms fire attacks, and reported to use the village as a rest area, a prison and a meeting place for AQI leaders.
"Iraqi Security and CF remain relentless in the pursuit of these AQI terrorists," said Col. Bill Buckner, spokesman for MNC-Iraq. "We will continue to hunt down terrorists who put the Iraqi people in danger by hiding among civilians."
ISOF snare terrorist and criminal suspects
BAGHDAD - Iraqi SOF deployed to Basrah, including other ISOF teams operating from their bases in Baghdad and Balad, captured a dozen suspected terrorists and Special Group members during separate ops in the past week. The ops were part of the GoI's continuing fight against terrorists, insurgents and criminals.
The ISOF ops sought to re-establish safety and security in Basrah. While serving arrest warrants, ISOF captured 5 suspects on the city's west side. The detainees are suspected of IED attacks at a major street intersection. During the op, ISOF troops searched and cleared more than 30 buildings detecting and destroying 9 IEDs.
In Baghdad, ISOF troops detained a suspected AQI terrorist and 2 other suspects. The man is suspected of creating a suicide network and overseeing suicide attacks against around the capitol. He is accused of forming a criminal group to conduct attacks against CF in Tahrir, southeast of Baghdad.
