Centcom Press Release - May 1

LOCAL CITIZENS FEND OFF AQI ATTACK
Defensive actions by local citizens of the Diyala Province against al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) resulted in the death of 12 insurgents on April 28th. Freedom of movement by AQI once exercised in the Bani Zaid Tribal region, south of Kanan, was stifled when local leaders and citizens, along with the village's Sons of Iraq members fought back against an enemy attack. The SOI's ability to repel the initial attack provided Iraqi Security Forces enough time to conduct a hasty offensive operation with minimal Coalition Force support. One SOI member was also killed and three were wounded. There were also several local citizens wounded. "If this attack was meant to demonstrate the strength of AQI in the area despite the number of committed SOIs throughout the area, it failed," said Maj. Peggy Kageleiry, spokesperson for Multinational Division - North. "The quick and determined responses by the Iraqi people against al Qaeda in Iraq, demonstrates their resolve to protect their neighborhoods and families."

AWT, TANK CREW KILL SEVEN CRIMINALS
An aerial weapons team (AWT) and an M1A2 Abrams Tank crew killed seven criminals in the Sadr City district of Baghdad on April 28th. Multnational Soldiers came under attack by criminals using small-arms fire. At approximately 3:10 p.m., an MND-B aerial weapons team and an MND-B M1A2 Abrams tank engaged the enemy forces, with the AWT team firing a hellfire missile and killing four of the criminals, and the tank crew firing a main round and killing three criminals. "We will continue to use any force necessary to respond to these indiscriminant criminal attacks and protect the Iraqi people," said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, spokesman for MND-B and the 4th Infantry Division. "The attacks will be dealt with quickly and decisively."

COALITION KILLS 10 TERRORISTS, DETAIN 5
Coalition forces killed 10 terrorists and detained five terrorist suspects during four operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) networks Monday near Baghdad. Targeting a foreign terrorist with direct ties to suicide operations, intelligence led a Coalition force to engage two vehicles and kill 10 terrorists near Khalaf Al Mahd. Coalition Forces destroyed the vehicles carrying four heavy machine guns, eight assault rifles and several hundred rounds of ammunition. They later detained one suspected terrorist and destroyed a weapons cache he was guarding nearby.

In Abu Ghurayb, Coalition Forces targeted a terrorist with ties to AQI leadership in Baghdad. Acting on intelligence, they stopped a vehicle and detained two terrorist suspects. Coalition Forces then searched the suspects’ residence where they detained another suspect. Coalition forces also detained an individual associated with terrorists involved in AQI media operations in the Al Rasafah neighborhood in Baghdad.

COALITION TARGETS AQI; 3 KILLED, 12 DETAINED
Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 12 suspected terrorists during operations conducted in the northern half of the country on April 29th. Coalition Forces targeted an AQI foreign terrorist facilitator at a suspected terrorist safe-house 60 miles north of Baghdad. Coalition Forces called for the target building’s occupants to come out peacefully, but several men refused to comply, including three men displaying weapons, one of whom was wearing a military-style assault vest. Responding to the perceived hostile threat, the Coalition force engaged the three armed terrorists, killing them. Five additional suspected terrorists were detained. Coalition Forces captured an individual allegedly involved in attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and one other suspected terrorist in Mosul based on information gathered from an operation on March 31st.

Another operation in Mosul targeted a car-bombing expert who recently fled Kirkuk after Coalition Forces captured two of his associates there during operations on April 15th and 22nd. Two suspected terrorists were detained. In Bayji, 100 miles south of Mosul, Coalition Forces captured an AQI car-bombing cell leader and detained two additional suspected terrorists. "Today’s operations will have an impact on al-Qaeda in Iraq’s ability to bring in and utilize foreign terrorists and will further degrade the terrorists’ ability to carry out car-bombing attacks on innocent Iraqi civilians, as well as Iraqi and Coalition forces," said Cmdr. Scott Rye, MNF-I spokesperson.

22 ATTACKERS KILLED IN BAGHDAD
Iraqi Army Soldiers and MultiNational Division – Baghdad Soldiers engaged and killed 22 criminals attacking an Iraqi Security Force Checkpoint on April 27th, in northeastern Baghdad. At approximately 6:35 p.m., 11th Iraqi Army Division and MND-B Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, attached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, were attacked by a large group of criminals engaging with small-arms fire while manning a security checkpoint. US Soldiers used 120 mm fire from M1A12 Abrams tanks and small-arms fire to kill the 22 criminals, forcing remaining enemy forces present to retreat. The criminals’ small-arms fire was ineffective and there were no US or ISF casualties in the attack. “We are not the aggressor,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, MND-B and 4th Inf. Div. spokesman. “However, we will defend ourselves, our Iraqi partners and the Iraqi people from the enemy attack.”

12 INSURGENTS KILLED, 12 WOUNDED IN FAILED KUNAR ATTACK
In Afghanistan on April 27th, a dozen insurgents were killed and a dozen more were wounded during a failed attack on Afghan National Army and U.S. bases in Kunar province’s Korengal Valley. An estimated 30 to 40 insurgents attacked five bases in the Korengal valley with small-arms fire, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and indirect fire. Afghan and U.S. forces repelled the enemy’s attack utilizing effective small-arms fire, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, mortar rounds, artillery fire and close-air support. No Afghan, U.S. Soldiers or civilians were killed or injured in the attack.