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(S//SI) Catch of the Week: Key Arrests in Iraq Illustrate Increasing
SIGINT Challenges... and Opportunities
FROM: the Iraq Issue Management Team
Unknown
Run Date: 09/20/2006
(TS//SI//REL) Three much sought-after insurgents -- a Kurd, a Sunni and a Shi'a -- are captured
in a single week.
(S//REL) One week in August 2006 provided a unique perspective on the diversity of threats
along the Iraqi front of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Key captures of three major
operators highlight a significant week that preceded the continuing turnover of military
components to the Iraqi government, along with an unprecedented level of insurgent violence.
The captures showcase our best cryptologic integration efforts and outstanding collaboration
within the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. They also demonstrate the
unique challenges of developing and maintaining targets as diverse as those highlighted below...
(TS//SI//REL) On 19 August, U.S. Special Operations Forces successfully apprehended
a Kurdish al-Qaida in Iraq (AQIZ) extremist facilitator and explosives expert who
produced suicide vests, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and remote control detonation
devices. NSA Counterterrorism (CT) and Joint Interagency Task Force - West (JIATF-W) analysts
had been tracking
through Syria and Iran for over a year, and SIGINT was key in
anticipating
's movement into Iraq. Once in Iraq, our National Intelligence Support
Team (NIST) personnel forward in Balad were key in providing direct support to develop the
final target package that prompted the lucrative Special Forces raid. Digital Network Intelligence
(DNI) derived from the efforts of new cryptologic talent brought to bear at the Utah Regional
Language Center was instrumental in this event.
(S)
(TS//SI//REL) On 23 August, a targeted raid east of Fallujah resulted in the apprehension of
a Sunni mid-level insurgent leader, IED distributor and weapons trafficker within the
militant 1920 Revolutionary Brigade. Reportedly, this was the first significant capture of a 1920
Revolutionary Brigade member. NSA Washington, NSA Georgia and U.S. Marine Corp 2nd Radio
Battalion analysts provided target packages, gists and HUMINT reporting in support of the case
vs
. This information was key to the successful interrogation of the prisoner; in turn
that has provided additional target leads under development that will be interdicted in the weeks
ahead.
(S)
(TS//SI//REL) On 25 August, Shi'a
plus three of his operatives were captured as part of
a U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division operation. A Jaysh al-Mahdi (JAM) Commander,
had
evaded previous targeting operations and his capture required dogged pursuit with multiple
raids. JAM considers the capture of
a "disaster." NSA Georgia, SCS Baghdad, NCR / CSG
Baghdad and the Cryptologic Support Team embedded in the 4th ID were key members of the
team responsible for this success.
(S)
(S//REL) Each of these captures, individually, represents huge victories in the GWOT.
Collectively, they represent a diverse group... whether viewed organizationally, by religious
affiliation, or by method of capture. They also represent the breadth and depth of cryptologic
capabilities and the full range of Operation Iraqi Freedom customers supported by SIGINT. We
certainly have great reason to be proud of and celebrate these critical successes in the GWOT.
We will also remain vigilant and aggressive in pursuit of new and existing targets in this crucial
time.
(U//FOUO) The following is from the Deputy Director's WARGram-71 , 13 May 2005...
(U//FOUO) "The days and weeks following key terrorist captures often provide reflections and
interrogation information that lead to insight into future terrorist operations. I charge the entire
cryptologic workforce to think as creatively and aggressively as possible in the continued pursuit
of these important mission areas. I am extremely proud of the men and women of NSA/CSS and
greatly appreciate your outstanding contributions."
POC:
"(U//FOUO) SIDtoday articles may not be republished or reposted outside NSANet
without the consent of S0121 (DL sid_comms)."
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DERIVED FROM: NSA/CSSM 1-52, DATED 08 JAN 2007 DECLASSIFY ON: 20320108