Coalition targets al-Qaeda networks in Diyala, Samarra; three killed; 11 detained

MNF-I reports,

Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 11 suspects Tuesday and Wednesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in central and northern Iraq. In continued efforts to disrupt terrorist operations in the northeast Diyala River Valley region, Coalition forces conducted an operation north of Muqdadiyah Tuesday targeting associates of the network operating in the area. Intelligence reports indicate a group of individuals executed a man earlier in the day and were later observed in the target area. Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists during the operation for their alleged involvement in the network. North of Jalula Wednesday, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in the facilitation of foreign terrorists and weapons for Ansar al Sunna groups operating in Kirkuk. Reports indicate he is associated with several terrorists operating in the Diyala area, one of whom was detained during an operation Nov. 21 for his involvement in the facilitation of weapons for use in attacks against Coalition forces.

And continues with,

In Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in terrorist media and propaganda operations. The wanted individual was reportedly a close associate of a terrorist killed during an operation Nov. 17, Abu Maysara, a senior advisor to the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri. Reports indicate the wanted individual is also associated with numerous other senior terrorists involved in al-Qaeda in Iraq media and propaganda operations. In a separate operation nearby, Coalition forces detained one suspect while targeting an alleged associate of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

Two important facts come out of this article.

1. Coalition forces are continually killing and/or detaining several High Value Targets (HVTs). Like dominos, one arrest leads to another which leads to another. Several recent reports show close associates of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri being arrested. His capture/death cannot be too far in the future.

2. Operation Iron Hammer activities stopped just south of Muqdadiyah and was followed up on with Operation Iron Reaper after newly acquired intelligence changed the focus of the operation. Iron Reaper involved four U.S. brigades participated in Operation Iron Reaper, along with three Iraqi Army divisions, likely the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th IA. Operation Iron Reaper targeted the Khalis Corridor in Western Diyala province, certain pockets in Salah ad Din province and the Za'ab Triangle and Western Mosul in Ninawa province.

However, neither operation pursued Al Qaeda north of Muqdadiyah, where Al Qaeda has established a base of operations in the lake in the Kanaqin district of the Diyala province. It appears now that Coalition Forces (typically Special Forces since the unit is not named) as part of MND-N are now beginning to execute operations north of Muqdadiyah in the Diyala river valley to close in on Al Qaeda last remaining stronghold. In addition, MND-N forces are continuing to move north up the Khalis corridor to rout out Al Qaeda remenants in this region.

At this time, we do not know if this is a new MND-N operation or a continuation of Operation Iron Reaper. I suspect, given the new intelligence and push past Muqdadiyah, this is a new operation being conducted by MND-N forces, being led first by Special Forces detaining individuals to gain further intelligence on the tactical laydown of forces around the lake in the Kanaqin district and to its northwest along the Hamrin Ridge which has been a known safe haven and training location for Al Qaeda earlier in the war and as late as October 2007. This ridge is dotted with many caves that allow Al Qaeda to hide plus the mixture of Arabs, Turkomans and Kurds allow Al Qaeda to hide among the area's mix demographic population.