It's from last week, but it's important. Most Iraqis probably don't like the idea of an extended U.S. stay, but given the choice between Americans and Taliban style Islamists, they choose us. Thank to GM. BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists, detained four suspected terrorists and liberated nine Iraqi hostages during operations Sunday to further secure Baghdad and the northern belt around the city.

Coalition Forces raided a building where terrorists were holding illegal terrorist court proceedings in Tarmiyah. Al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders imposed vigilante law on residents in the Tarmiyah area, often executing them for violating the terrorist group's rules.

Coalition Forces found nine Iraqis inside the building, some who had been there for 30 days, bound and awaiting sentencing by the illegal court system. The former hostages were examined and found to be in relative health.

After liberating the hostages, Coalition Forces moved to secure another building nearby. Surveillance elements observed five men armed with rifles and machine guns maneuver into tactical positions in a nearby palm grove. Defending against the hostile enemy force, Coalition Forces engaged the armed men and called in close air support. Two of the armed terrorists were killed by ground fire, while three were engaged and killed by the aircraft. In the palm grove, Coalition Forces discovered a bed-down location with two suicide vests and other weapons.

Inside one of the buildings, Coalition Forces found 12 tons of ammonium nitrate soaked in propellant, ten drums of petroleum, bomb-making materials, weapons and extremist media. The building also had a complex tunnel system beneath it. Coalition Forces destroyed the volatile explosive materials on site.

Coalition Forces also targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader near Salman Pak. As the assault force secured the area, they observed a man with a pistol draw his weapon. Coalition Forces responded by engaging the armed man, killing him.

The assault force also engaged and killed two armed men who moved into position against them. The ground forces detained four suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the terrorist cell.

"We're continuing to go after the terrorists who threaten Baghdad's security," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

"We want to continue the pressure to ensure the cells that carry out brutal attacks cannot recover from their current degraded state."

Posted by: Rusty at 01:40 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 391 words, total size 3 kb.