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Macedonian Rangers in Baghdad

September 10th, 2008 | Comments Off

Another ally working alongside the new Iraqi Army. Iraqi Army soldiers and Macedonian Rangers attached to Multi-National Division – Baghdad, uncovered weapons caches in Baghdad Sept. 9. While on patrol the Macedonian Rangers discovered a cache north of Baghdad at approximately 2:30 p.m. The weapons included two inert 550 French-manufactured air-to-air missiles and a 185 mm high-explosive projectile. At approximately 11:30 p.m. soldiers serving with 1st Battalion, 54th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, along with its attached MND – B Military Transition Team, found a cache while on a cordon and search mission in Baghdad’s Mansour district. The cache included five concussion grenades, an RPG-7 rocket-propelled grenade, multiple wireless radio communications and monitoring equipment and a Special Groups platoon roster. “Our Coalition forces partners, the Macedonian Rangers and the Iraqi Army, continue to make … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Our Allies, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Senior Special Groups Leader Taken at Baghdad Airport

August 27th, 2008 | 2 Comments

Coalition forces captured a suspected senior Special Groups leader Wednesday morning during an operation at Baghdad International Airport. Intelligence sources report that the captured man is part of the most senior social and operational circles of Special Groups. Most notably, he is believed to be responsible for the planning of the June 24, 2008 bombing of the Sadr City District Advisory Council meeting, where six Iraqis, two U.S. State Department employees and two U.S. service members were killed. Ten other Iraqis were wounded in the blast. The man has been known to travel in and out of Iraq to neighboring nations including Iran and Lebanon, where it is believed he meets and helps run the Iranian-backed Special Groups in Iraq. In order to maintain the safety and security of the passengers and … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, War on Terror

Return to Normalcy in Beida

August 27th, 2008 | Comments Off

In what was once a recruiting hotbed for terrorist and Special Groups elements in northern Baghdad, a pool complex now serves as a spot of relief for residents. The pool re-opened Aug. 26 as community leaders and residents gathered to celebrate the return of the Al Asafah Pool complex. The complex was in such a state of disrepair that residents had long stopped patronizing it and squatters had taken up residence there, with some even raising sheep on the pool deck; additionally, the pool hall located inside the main building had become a makeshift recruiting center for extremists. “One of the first patrols we went on was to go assess this pool,” said Capt. Clint Rusch, fire support officer for Company C, 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, Rebuilding, War on Terror

Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq Media Guru Captured

July 21st, 2008 | Comments Off

Hezbollah is the Iranian front group in Lebanon. They’ve moved into Iraq, due to their superior training ans experience against the Israelis and now are trying to create the fiction that they are a home-grown organization. They are part of the Mahdi Army Special Groups and directed by Iran. Coalition forces captured a suspected propaganda specialist of the Hezbollah Brigades early Monday morning in the New Baghdad district of Baghdad. Based on intelligence information, Coalition forces targeted the location of a suspected propaganda expert affiliated with the Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq. Information taken from suspected criminals already in custody indicate that the man uploads web sites with imagery and video taken from attacks on Iraqi Security and Coalition forces. Reports indicate this is part of a propaganda effort in order to earn … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iran, Iraq, War on Terror

Clean Up Ops in Amarah

July 1st, 2008 | Comments Off

Iraqi Special Operations Forces, the Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics team and the Baghdad National Emergency Response Unit are playing key roles in the Government of Iraq’s massive campaign to disrupt the criminal elements in the city of Amarah. With the cooperation of tribal leaders and many of the local citizens, Iraqi Security Forces began setting the foundation to enforce the rule of lawinthe city June 19. ISOF, Hillah SWAT and the Baghdad National ERU conducted several precision operations throughout the city targeting Special Groups criminals and abettors. According to Iraqi Brig. Gen. Noa’amam Dakeel Jawad, the Iraqi National ERU commander, ISOF and ISF will continue to conduct operations in the area until the citizens of Amarah are safe and free from the criminals in their city. “The ERU, … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, War on Terror

Criminals Planting Bombs Killed in New Baghdad

June 22nd, 2008 | Comments Off

Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers disrupted efforts by Special Groups criminals to emplace improvised explosive devices, killing six and wounded another during a joint operation in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad, June 20. A group of suspected criminals were seen observing U.S. Soldiers in Shawra Wa Um Jidir, at approximately 7:45 a.m. They pointed at the Soldiers continuously and began using cell phones. Then, one of the men ran into a building and returned with an AK-47 rifle, which he aimed at the Soldiers. The Soldiers engaged the suspect, killing him and one of his cohorts. About 35 minutes later, the Soldiers spotted three additional criminals engaged in suspicious activity. The Soldiers engaged and killed one of the men as he attempted to emplace an improvised explosive device. Soldiers … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, War on Terror

Coalition forces kill five gunmen

June 13th, 2008 | Comments Off

Coalition forces killed five gunmen and captured two suspected Special Groups criminals near al-Hillah, approximately 70 km south of Baghdad. Acting on intelligence information from Special Groups members already detained, Coalition forces conducted a raid on the residence of a suspected Special Groups leader in al-Hillah. The suspect is wanted for running a criminal enterprise in the area. According to previously captured outlaws, the suspect stayed at multiple locations in order to avoid capture. As Coalition forces approached the suspect’s residence, gunmen attacked them with small arms fire and grenades. Coalition forces returned fire, killing five gunmen. Coalition forces were able to enter the suspect’s hideout where he and an associate were detained. Coalition forces found multiple automatic weapons at the residence. MNF-I … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, War on Terror

MND-B soldiers kill 8 criminals May 1

May 2nd, 2008 | Comments Off

Multi-National Division – Baghdad soldiers killed eight criminals during night operations in northeastern Baghdad. Soldiers from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, operating an unmanned aerial vehicle, witnessed two armed criminals, including one bearing a rifle on the rooftop of a house at approximately 7:15 p.m. April 30. Soldiers fired one Hellfire missile from the UAV. Both criminals were killed, and the weapon was destroyed. At approximately 7:40 p.m., soldiers from 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div., positively identified a Special Groups criminal with an RPK machine gun. Acting in self-defense, the soldiers returned fire and killed the individual. Criminal forces continued to attack the soldiers with small-arms fire. At approximately 8:10 p.m., the soldiers killed another criminal firing upon them and then … Read entire article »

Filed under: Iraq, War on Terror