MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.270.0320 / 0299

May 26, 2007
Release A070526b

TWO TERRORISTS KILLED, 23 SUSPECTS DETAINED, EXPLOSIVES DESTROYED

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed two terrorists, detained 23 suspected terrorists and destroyed a cache of explosives during operations against al-Qaeda in Iraq Saturday.

Coalition Forces targeted a suspected terrorist leader in a raid southwest of Taji Saturday morning.  As the ground forces approached the building, two armed men took up fighting positions.  Coalition Forces, reacting to the perceived hostile threat, engaged the two men with small arms fire, killing them. 

Inside the building, Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists.  One is believed to be an al-Qaeda senior leader whose group supplies vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices for use in the Taji area.  The group is also known to be responsible for indirect fire and IED attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces.

In a follow-up operation southeast of Karmah, Coalition Forces found a cache of weapons and explosives, including 10 homemade bombs, a 55-gallon drum of ammonium nitrate, 200 anti-aircraft rounds and an anti-aircraft artillery mount, and a dump truck outfitted with a detonation cord.  Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists and safely destroyed the weapons cache on site.

Coalition Forces targeted a suspected terrorist in Baghdad and detained two individuals during a raid there.  One of the individuals is allegedly a member of a deadly VBIED cell.  In another raid in the city, Coalition Forces detained seven suspected terrorists for their involvement as associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader.

In a raid targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist network known to facilitate the movement of foreign fighters, Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists in Fallujah.

Acting on intelligence gained from successful operations May 22, Coalition Forces raided three buildings in Mosul, where they detained three suspected terrorists with alleged ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq network there.

“These operations illustrate the steady drumbeat of our assault on al-Qaeda in Iraq,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.  “We continue to disrupt their networks and diminish their ability to attack Iraqi civilians and those who are working to rebuild the country.”
 

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