U.S. Special Forces with Sons of Iraq, Iraqi army kill terrorist Abu Ghazwan

Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi army soldier and a member of the Sons of Iraq search the remnants of Abu...... read more read more

Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi army soldier and a member of the Sons of Iraq search the remnants of Abu Ghazwan's hideout after the operation in Tarmiyah, Iraq, that lead to Ghazwan's death. Ghazwan was the overall Emir for al-Qaida in Iraq-affiliated insurgent groups within the Northern Baghdad Belt.  see less | View Image Page

TAJI, IRAQ

12.14.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Bryan Franks 

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

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By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryan Franks
Special Operations Task Force – North Public Affairs Office

TAJI, Iraq – Abu Ghazwan, a senior al-Qaida leader and designated commander of al-Qaida-affiliated groups stretching from Baghdad to Tikrit, was killed Nov. 6 during a United States Army Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets, and Iraqi army operation north of Baghdad.

Ghazwan, also known as Saad Ismail Abd Al Salah al Hayani, was the leader of a terrorist network responsible for numerous attacks against coalition and Iraqi security forces. Ghazwan was a well known al-Qaida commander that had avoided capture for years and fomented a violent insurgent campaign that spanned multiple provinces. Ghazwan was also reported to be responsible for a murder and kidnapping campaign against Shia civilians, as well as recruiting women and children to conduct suicide attacks. The removal of Ghazwan, who had avoided capture during dozens of previous raids, is a tribute to the tenacity and increasing capability of the Iraqi security forces and the close partnership that has been fostered with U.S. Army Special Forces advisors.

Key to the success of this operation was information reported by local tribal security forces known across the country as Sons of Iraq. Local SOI guards provided the initial information to the Iraqi army which led the joint U.S./Iraqi patrol to the right area.

The operation that led to Ghazwan's death began when Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha linked up with a local Iraqi army unit to share intelligence on local insurgent activity and to investigate reports of possible enemy meeting sites and weapons caches. Included at the meeting were local Sons of Iraq commanders who also provided information and agreed to accompany the joint patrol to the suspected locations.

"It's encouraging to see the [Iraqi army] getting in contact with local SOI commanders and going on joint patrols together – without U.S. forces pushing them to cooperate," a Green Beret Soldier said.

"The SOI has a wealth of intelligence because they live in these communities," a Green Beret Soldier said. "When they become comfortable sharing that information with IA, I think it's a definite sign of the country's security moving in the right direction."

Following the meeting, a joint combat patrol was launched with the reconnaissance Platoon from the 1st Tank Battalion, 34th Iraqi Army Brigade and members of the SOI. The plan was to search three separate locations.

After finding nothing at the first location, the combined patrol searched the second location and captured Omar Sabah, a man identified by the locals as a close associate of Abu Ghazwan. The patrol also uncovered a cache consisting of various rounds of ammunition, knives, a bottle of gun-powder, and a small amount of PE4 (plastic explosive).

While apprehending Omar Sabah, the patrol discovered that Ghazwan was reportedly in the area. Taking advantage of the lead, the combined patrol proceeded to the final location, a house which the SOI identified as belonging to Abu Ghazwan's sister. As the patrol secured the location, a grenade exploded behind the house, injuring two SOI members. The patrol returned fire and the assailant fled down a narrow path toward the Tigris River.

While Special Forces Medics stabilized the two wounded SoI members, a small element, led by a Special Forces sergeant, pursued the fleeing individual down the path and into the dense vegetation along the river. While moving down the path, the Green Beret Soldier identified a trip wire booby trap connected to two grenades. After halting the patrol, the Soldier located the body of a man lying in the bushes. After determining that the man was dead, the team contacted a nearby U.S. Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit to clear the booby trap.

It wasn't until the body was recovered that the SOI excitedly confirmed that the Ghazwan had been killed.

"When we shot at the guy, no one knew it was Ghazwan," an SOI member said. "When it was safe, one of the guys went down to look at his face and yelled out, 'It's Abu Ghazwan!'"

The Special Forces team confirmed the identity of Ghazwan later through biometrics.

"I never thought Ghazwan would go out like this," an SOI member said. "I thought, 'He's a brave guy. He's going to shoot back and fight brave.' I never thought he would die like a coward."

The IA and SOI consider working together an important part of establishing security and enforcing the rule of law.

"I think we have a good working relationship with the local SOI, and I think killing Ghazwan is the proof," an IA member said.

It's evident that the people are less fearful when IA and SOI work together to improve the security of their towns and cities.

"When you drive through the streets, you see the people of Tarmiyah walking through the city not afraid of the criminals that once tried to control this region," an IA member said.

The locals in the community also see the IA and the SOI as instrumental in regaining order and peace in the region.

"The people of Tarmiyah thank the IA and SOI for killing Ghazwan," a local said. "People who break the rules are hiding. They have no safe place in Tarmiyah anymore."