Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1 held an end-of-mission ceremony in the southern Iraqi province of Basrah, Oct. 30.

The event marked the conclusion of operations that included more than 250 security missions and training of more than 300 Iraqis to continue providing maritime security on the rivers and lakes of Iraq.

Video by Regimental Combat Team-2, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs

Thunder roared and lightning ripped through the sky while ordinance burst across an insurgent logistics trafficking hub as coalition forces conducted one of the largest raid operations since the early stages of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The city of Barham Chah, which lies on the southern border of Afghanistan, was identified as a trafficking hub through which insurgents were receiving supplies to distribute throughout the country. Operation Steel Dawn II put a swift end to enemy activity within southern Afghanistan Oct. 28-31.

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed the capture of a Haqqani Network facilitator for the movement of vehicles and narcotics in support of the network, during an overnight operation in Paktika province Friday.

Acting on intelligence reports, the security force targeted a compound in Orgun city to search for the facilitator. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the compounds peacefully and then the joint security force cleared and secured the area.

In southern Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces completed a multi-day deliberate clearing operation aimed at disrupting the Taliban’s freedom of movement in Helmand province. The operation began Saturday and ended Monday.

The joint security force is continuing their efforts to disrupt enemy safe havens in Helmand province, where Taliban leaders use villages throughout the area to conduct operational planning and prepare for attacks. This operation focused on an area near the village Kajaki Sofla in Kajaki district.

Video by American Forces Network Afghanistan

International Security Assistance Force confirmed the death of Haji Malang, a Taliban leader, during an operation to detain him Tuesday, in Nad ‘Ali District, Helmand province.

Malang was responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of numerous small arms and improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces,

The International Security Assistance Force confirmed that Faiz Mohammad, a Haqqani Network senior leader who coordinated and conducted attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, was killed as he emplaced an improvised explosive device along a road in Khost province.

“We’re always happy when we can halt an IED attack,” said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Security Assistance Force Combined Joint Operations Center director. “We caught the group in the act and eliminated the threat before it could injure or kill one of our forces, or worse, an Afghan civilian.”

An Afghan and coalition security force captured the Haqqani Network shadow governor for Spera District, during an overnight operation in Khost province.

The shadow governor coordinates the facilitation of foreign fighters from Pakistan and coordinates and conducts ambush attacks in the district.