Coalition Forces Continue to Dismantle Terrorist Networks

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq
Title: Five terrorists killed, 22 suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda
Date: September 25, 2007
Site: http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14235&Itemid=21(For complete story please visit site)

“We will continue to dismantle the terrorist networks that threaten the security of Iraq and our forces,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “The people of Iraq have chosen their future; Iraqi and Coalition forces will ensure al-Qaeda in Iraq stays out of their way.”

Coalition forces have advanced in the war against terrorism, as recent updates reveal:

* On Tuesday, Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained 22 suspected terrorists during missions targeting al Qaeda conducted in the central and northern parts of Iraq.

* South of Musayyib, Coalition forces targeted a building believed to be part of al Qaeda operations. Small arms fire erupted from the building. Coalition troops responded with additional fire and wounded a man. When detained, the identity of the man is believed to be an alleged associated of a senior leader involved in al Qaeda's car bombing network. The suspect is believed to have helped move al Qaeda leaders. The man did receive treatment for his wounds. Air support was called in as the attack continued, in which four more al Qaeda suspects were killed.

*Moving to another target location, Coalition forces again engaged in fire with alleged al Qaeda suspects who refused to comply with orders to come out. One suspect manuerved towards the troops and was killed in self-defense. Seven more suspects were detained.

*In an operation in southern Baghdad, Coalition forces captured four suspected terrorists including a man believed to be a close associate to the al Qaeda in Iraq emir of South Karkh.

*In central Iraq, Coalition forces carried out three operations targeting high ranking al Qaeda operatives. Five suspected terrorists were detained, two of the suspects are believed to be involved in attacks against Coalition troops.

*In Bayji (northern Iraq), Coalition troops captured three suspected terrorists in an operation to target an al Qaeda associate.

*In Mosul, Coalition forces targeted an associate of the emir of al Qaeda in northwestern Iraq and captured two suspected terrorists. One terrorist is believed to be an al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader, the other is suspected of moving al Qaeda leaders in and out of Iraq.


For more Press Releases from Multi-National Force Iraq, September 2007:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category§ionid=1&id=4&Itemid=128

Rebuilding Afghanistan: "Stories from the Field"

Source: Government of Canada
Site: http://geo.international.gc.ca/cip-pic/afghanistan/library/stories-en.aspx
Description: Collection of personal stories and projects describing progress and reconstruction projects in Afghanistan.
Articles include "Back to School in Afghanistan!" about efforts to improve the education system in Afghanistan and offer more opportunities for women and girls (including the hiring of female teachers). The article states that: According to the Ministry of Education, over six million children, nearly 35% of them girls, will be enrolled in school in 2007/08, compared to a little more than a million students five years ago and very few girls. Furthermore, the number of teachers in the education system has grown seven-fold.
Another article titled "CIVPOL Diary: Grand Opening of New Afghan Police Station in Kandahar" describes the opening of a new police station in Kandahar, and plans to build nine more, "The design chosen is something akin to a French Fort in the Arabian Desert; high concrete walls, guard towers, barded wire, and steel reinforced gates..."This page includes several articles and is very informative.

Remembering September 11th: The Sixth Anniversary

"On Patriot Day, we pray for those who died and for their families. We volunteer to help others and demonstrate the continuing compassion of our citizens. On this solemn occasion, we rededicate ourselves to laying the foundation of peace with confidence in our mission and our free way of life.

By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2007, as Patriot Day. I call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on Patriot Day. I also call upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and remembrance services, to display the flag at half-staff from their homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent Americans and people from around the world who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001." President Bush, Patriot Day Proclamation. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/09/20070904-6.html


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Title: United States Army Patriot Day 2007
Site: http://www.army.mil/patriotday/2007/
Includes: Videos. Photographs, News and Tributes

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Title: "September 11 Anniversary Marked Overseas". Wral.com News.
Site: http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/world/story/1800310/

President Hamid Karzai thanked the international community for helping to "return Afghanistan to the people of Afghanistan".

In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters that he supports the Japanese navy in providing fuel for Coalition ships in the Indian Ocean, "The international community is united in its fight against terrorism, and it is imperative that Japan continue its contributions,"
At the U.S. air base near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, servicemen and women laid flowers at a memorial stone dedicated to Peter Ganci, the New York fire chief who died while rescuing people after the September 11 attacks. The base supports U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan.

(For more observations of September 11th, please view the above link)

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Title: "Harper vows continued support for Afghanistan." Reuters Canada.

Site: http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-09-11T060938Z_01_SYD96466_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-AUSTRALIA-HARPER-COL.XML

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave a speech to Australia's parliament,"This cause is global and necessary. As 9/11 showed, if we abandon our fellow human beings to lives of poverty, brutality and ignorance in today's global village, their misery will eventually and inevitably become our own."

Harper said that he hoped Canada would committ troops to Afghanistan until the Afghan forces were able to regain stability, and be able to secure their country.

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Title: " US soldiers in Afghanistan pause to remember 9-11 attacks." Newsday.com

Site: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--afghan-sept11anni0911sep11,0,7581546.story

At a US base in Kabul, soldiers remembered 9-11 in silence, lowering the flag to half-staff.

Maj. Gen. Robert Cone told some 100 soldiers, "We are here now six years later, not as a conquering force, not as an invader seeking to vanquish the Afghans, but rather to do what is right _ to seek out and destroy our common enemy," Cone said. "As allies, we will train and equip the Afghans. We will help them to provide for their people because we are Americans."


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Title: Raising Our Kids: Patriot's Day

Site: http://www.raisingourkids.com/hol/patriot.shtml

Includes: Explanations for Kids on September 11th/Patriot's Day, Coloring Pages, Activities, Links, Tips on How to Help Children Cope