U.S. Special Forces Capture Al Qaeda in Iraq Commander

As reported by Multi National Forces-Iraq, three individual was captured by U.S. Special Forces and Iraqi Forces during missions seeking out terrorist groups in Iraq. One individual was believed to be an al Qaeda in Iraq commander and the other two were thought to be extremists. In addition to the suspects, 18 improvised explosive devised were found.

U.S. Special Forces in coordination with Habbaniyah Special Weapons and Tactics team stormed a location west of Baghdad looking for a certain al Qaeda commander. It is stated that the individual is the one accountable for the intimidation and murder of Iraqi Police and families in the area around Saqlawiyah. He is the organizer of the missions and also responsible for improvised explosive devices being placed to do harm to Coalition and Iraqi forces.

In another mission, U.S. Forces, along with the 8^th Iraqi Army Division, stormed a building thought to be a command center for an extremist operation located in Ash Shamiyah. It is thought that the operation has been conducting attacks on Iraqi Army personnel that have resulted in the deaths of Iraqi Army soldiers. The mission netted two captured individuals.

In a third operation, the intention was to remove the al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists from an area southwest of Baqubah. U.S. Special Forces, working with Iraqi Forces, found a homemade mortar system, remote detonation devices, 18 improvised explosive devices, RPG rounds, 30 feet of detonation cord, primers, and military grade explosives. The weapons and materials were destroyed to prevent future use, and there were no reports of any military injuries during the missions.

There is some good news for soldiers in Iraq. Mine Resistant and Ambush Protected vehicles have been and are being delivered to the area.

1^st Battalion, 30^th Infantry Regiment, 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 3^rd Infantry Division were the first to received the vehicles after completing their training on how to operate them.

75 soldiers went through the training and when it was over went back to their base camps with 20 of the new vehicles.