Rear Adm. Greg Smith, MNF-I spokesman, provides an operational update, discusses AQI and micro-grant program for small businesses. Nov. 7, 2007.

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Key Themes:

·         Numerous AQI emirs have been captured or killed by ongoing CF/ISF operations.  Many of these emirs were foreign terrorist facilitators and more than 90% of suicide attacks committed in Iraq are by foreign terrorists.  AQI has strived to strengthen their weakened VBIED networks, but CF/ISF continue to fight them.  Recent successes against AQI include detention of many leaders of the Mosul media cell.  This targeting of AQI by security forces has aided in decreasing the violence in Iraq.  We will continue to fight AQI as they attempt to replace their lost leadership and they flee into the rural northern areas of Iraq.

·         3 BCT and 3 IA Divisions recently launched operation “Iron Hammer” to continue targeting AQI networks and setting conditions for reconciliation.  An IA SWAT team captured an AQI cell (4 primary targets) near Ramadi. One tremendous asset to the fight against AQI is the 67,000 CLC working with CF/ISF. Numerous caches have been seized by CLC and brought to CF/ISF for proper disposal.  Recently, 200 CLC worked with the NP and CF to repulse an AQI attack and found/cleared numerous IEDs.

·         CF continue working to improve basic services in Iraq.  The micro-grants program distributes money to small businesses which have been affected by AQI violence. $2.6M in micro-grants has been given from CF.  Despite the improved security situation, there are still difficult days ahead.  AQI is still capable of causing terror and will continue their attempts to murder, intimidate, kidnap, and torture Iraqi citizens.  It is promising that Iraqi citizens have rejected their Taliban-like vision and violence, and that they have joined the fight against them.