CENTCOM Roundup

News that somehow slips through the cracks of the mainstream media's eleventy-seven layers of editors.

SIX TERRORISTS KILLED, VBIED DESTROYED, 18 SUSPECTS DETAINED

North of Fallujah Thursday afternoon, Coalition Forces conducted an operation to capture suspected terrorists allegedly associated with al-Qaeda senior leadership. Coalition Forces attempted to stop their vehicle, but when the suspected terrorists resisted, Coalition Forces used proper escalation of force measures and engaged the vehicle with automatic weapons, killing three men.

Inside the vehicle, Coalition Forces found two mortar rounds, a rifle and an approximately 100-pound improvised explosive device. The vehicle and heavy explosives were safely destroyed on site.

While Coalition Forces were at the scene, they received small arms fire from a nearby orchard. Taking appropriate self-defense measures, the ground forces engaged the armed terrorists, killing three. Coalition Forces also found grenades and assault vests in the orchard.

In a follow-on operation Friday morning, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist in a building north of Fallujah for his alleged ties to al-Qaeda senior leaders.

Also Friday, Coalition Forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq commander allegedly involved in IED attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces southwest of Baghdad Friday morning. Ten suspected terrorists were detained for their ties to the senior leader.

Two coordinated operations in Taji targeted an al-Qaeda senior leader and his network. Coalition Forces detained seven individuals linked to a group allegedly responsible for mortar and rocket attacks against Coalition Forces; IED and vehicle-borne IED attacks across western Baghdad; and the bombing of the Sarafiyah bridge.

""We're continuing to target al-Qaeda in Iraq, and these terrorists are failing to evade us," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "The kill or capture of terrorists gives the people of Iraq the opportunity to build a peaceful country where deadly terrorists do not exist."

THREE SUSPECTED TERRORISTS CAPTURED

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists during operations in central and eastern Iraq Thursday morning.

Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained two individuals in Sadr City during the first raid. They are believed to be members of the secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.

Intelligence reports indicate one of the targeted individuals detained during the operation is suspected of providing facilitation and logistic support for trafficking weapons used in operations against Coalition Forces.

In a separate raid in Khanaqin, Coalition Forces captured a suspected liaison to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders, who assists in the movement of information and documents from al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership in Baghdad to al-Qaeda senior leaders in Iran.

"We're methodically disrupting terrorist networks in Iraq, and will continue to break down these networks so Iraqis can secure their own future," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

10TH MOUNTAIN, 1ST ACB DESTROY ENEMY URBAN ASSAULT VEHICLE

CAMP STRIKER, IRAQ - A team of Apache attack helicopter pilots discovered and destroyed a heavily armed vehicle south of Radwaniyah at about 8:10 a.m., May 30.

The Apache team from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade observed the vehicle near a reed line of a canal. The vehicle had a heavy machine gun mount attached to the bed of the truck and re-enforced sidewalls with gun ports.

After coordinating with the 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain tactical operations center, an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a camera was flown over the truck to observe the area. Once confirming the target and ensuring there were no civilians in the immediate area, the brigade authorized the helicopters to engage the truck.

The Apaches fired two Hellfire missiles and destroyed the vehicle.

No civilians were injured.

IRAQI SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES DETAIN SUSPECTED JAM COMMANDER IN BAGHDAD RAID

BAGHDAD - Iraqi Special Operations Forces apprehended a Jaysh al-Mahdi commander during an early morning raid in Kadamiyah, a central suburb of Baghdad May 30. The target of this operation is alleged to be responsible for providing financial, logistical, and political support for multiple insurgent groups and terrorist organizations.

The individual is also suspected of managing operations to murder and intimidate local Iraqis and ordering several attacks on Coalition Forces. The alleged commander is also suspected of overseeing the training of insurgent recruits on terrorist methods including the construction and detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices and Explosively Formed Projectiles.

Acting on tips from the local population, Iraqi forces raided a house where the suspect was believed to be residing and detained him without incident.

No ISOF or Coalition Forces were harmed in the operation.