Good News iraq

17) 72 SUSPECTED TERRORISTS DETAINED Sunday, 29 April 2007 BAGHDAD, Iraq http://www.mnf-iraq.com703.270.0320 / 0299 BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured 72 suspected terrorists and discovered bomb-making materials Sunday during a constellation of overnight raids targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network.In a massive synchronized effort, Coalition Forces descended on targets in Anbar and Salah ad Din provinces to disrupt the al-Qaeda network. Operations in Samarra alone uncovered 36 individuals with alleged ties to al-Qaeda terrorists. Near Karmah, intelligence reports led Coalition Forces to 20 five-gallon drums of nitric acid and other bomb-making materials. “Coalition operations like these continue to chip away at the al-Qaeda in Iraq network, and we will continue to target them as long as they continue to injure and kill the innocent people of Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. 18) Baqubah: Iraqi Local’s tips lead to success Saturday, 28 April 2007 Baqubah: Local’s tips lead to successMulti-National Division – North PAO TIKRIT, Iraq – Local citizens in Baqubah’s Tahrir neighborhood led Iraqi Army, police and Coalition Forces to more than 20 caches and assisted in capturing five suspected terrorists and engagements that left approximately 25 anti-Iraq forces dead. The most significant cache items, many of which were found due to tips by local citizens, include small-arms weapons, more than 5 mortar tubes, nearly 140 artillery and mortar rounds, more than 10 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, approximately 55 RPG rounds, more than 10,000 rounds of small-arms ammunition, grenades, and improvised explosive device materials to include several hundred pounds of home-made explosives, timers and blasting caps. Aside from the caches, the security forces have also discovered and cleared more than 20 IEDs emplaced throughout the neighborhood. “As we continue our aggressive and persistent operations, the discovery of these caches shows that our forces have entered yet another perceived safe haven,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and senior U.S. Army officer in Diyala. “The enemy shows nothing but hatred and disdain toward the innocent people of Diyala, and these weapons systems are clear indicators of that.” The ongoing operation will allow the Iraqi Security Forces to maintain a permanent presence in the area while simultaneously providing security for the people of Tahrir. “As in Buhriz, the citizens of Tahrir are gaining more and more confidence in the Iraqi army and police,” Sutherland added. “It is vital that their security forces maintain a permanent presence as they are the true defenders of this country. Together with the ISF, we remain focused on targeting the enemy and disrupting their operations.”