Here’s a good story from the Brits about the work being done in Mosul.

Al-Qaeda is driven from Mosul bastion after bloody last stand

– Sunday Times

In Mosul, Al-Qaeda’s last redoubt, the group still held sway as recently as Easter. Now it lacks the strength to fight the army face to face and has lost the sympathy of most of the ordinary citizens who once admired its stand against the occupying forces and their allies in the Iraqi army.

Coalition forces killed four and detained nine suspected terrorists while further degrading al-Qaeda in Iraq operations in central and northern Iraq Wednesday and Thursday [June 11-12 2008].

Detainees in custody provided information that led Coalition forces to Diyala province, where they targeted leaders of an al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide-bombing network Thursday. Coalition forces positively identified the targeted individual, known for making suicide vests, and followed him into a remote area north of Baqubah, about 50 kilometers north of Baghdad. The area was believed to be a hideout location used to house weapons. The house was rigged with booby-traps throughout. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to engage the area, which triggered several secondary explosions, indicating bomb materials and weapons on the ground. Four terrorists were killed in the engagement. Once the site was safe, the ground force moved in and discovered a tunnel system, fighting positions, weapons, military-style assault vests and documents detailing terrorist operations.

Also Thursday, Coalition forces targeted another member of the Diyala suicide-bombing network who had fled to Tirkit and detained three suspected terrorists during the operation. In Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted man and one other suspect who are alleged associates of AQI senior leaders.

A wanted man allegedly involved in producing remote-controlled bomb triggers identified himself to Coalition forces during an operation in Baghdad Thursday. The man, who was detained with an associate, is also suspected of having ties to senior AQI leadership in Baghdad.

Coalition forces also captured an alleged AQI propaganda cell leader Wednesday in Abu Ghraib, about 30 kilometers west of Baghdad. The man is believed to spearhead production and distribution of extremist propaganda in Baghdad and have ties to al-Qaeda members outside Iraq. Coalition forces discovered large amounts of media materials in the target building and detained one additional suspect.

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Scores of Christian men lined up to join the Iraqi Police force during a recruiting drive in Tall Kayf, 15 km north of Mosul, April 28.

The goal of the three-day event was to recruit up to 700 Christians to join the police force to help protect their respective communities in Mosul.

“This recruiting drive will help bolster the economy through employment, in addition to bolstering the security effort,” said Col. Michael Bills, commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

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Sgt. Alejandro Cruz scans the area through the scope of his M4 assault rifle after hearing small-arms fire during a raid in Mosul, Iraq, April 17. Cruz is a tanker in Killer Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Hood, Texas. Photographer: Spc. John Crosby, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Spc. James Potter, a native of Silsbee, Texas, assigned to 411th Military Police Company, patrols the streets of Tarmiyah Apr. 18 with Iraqi security forces. Business has returned to normal in the markets of Tarmiyah after criminal activities have decreased in recent months due to constant patrols of Iraqi security forces and their coalition forces counterparts in the area. The 411th MP Co. deployed to Iraq from Fort Hood, Texas, and is currently assigned to the 716th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Multi-National Division-Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo /Sgt. Daniel Blottenberger)

Spc. Michael Weber, a Greeley, Colo., native, works with his fellow Soldiers Apr. 12 to provide a safe and secure Iraq during Operation Gunslinger Shorebreak I, a mission focused at securing the Taji Qada, northwest of Baghdad. Weber serves as an infantryman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. Brad Willeford)

Spc. Cameron Beal, of Fort Campbell, Ky. and Staff Sgt. Donovan Miller, of Detroit, Mich., both assigned to Iron Hawk Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment seize the opportunity for a quick wink between missions, at Combat Outpost Courage, Mosul, Iraq, April 6.

Iraqi army and coalition forces have continued to solidify their gains in Mosul by starting construction on Combat Outpost Shan in the al-Bareed neighborhood.

“They (Al Qaida in Iraq) have used a remote control vehicle borne improvised explosive device, rocket propelled grenades and sniper fire” in an attempt to thwart construction, said 1st Sgt. Anthony Gast, Iron Hawk Troop, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. “We are restricting their freedom of movement and they are running out of places they can bring their equipment in.”

The COPs are designed to protect the Iraqi people from potential AQI attacks. This is accomplished by improving security and acting as a facilitator for constant communication between the citizens and their IA and CF protectors.

“The COPs provide increased security and ultimately as security increases, allows for infrastructure improvements and more commerce,” said Gast. “COPs allow the Iraqi army to have a permanent presence and show the Iraqi people that the IA and IP are here to defend them every day and that has made a big difference.”

DVIDS