MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790

June 17, 2007
Release A070617a

10 terrorists killed, 20 detained in Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed 10 terrorists, detained 20 suspected terrorists and uncovered enemy weapons and bomb-making materials during operations targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network Saturday and Sunday.

Coalition Forces captured two suspected terrorists during a raid in Baghdad Saturday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders in the city.  One of the detainees is allegedly a senior leader in the area who oversees al-Qaeda in Iraq operations and supervised several individuals detained in successful Coalition operations over the past week.

Sunday morning, Coalition Forces targeted several buildings near Karmah that intelligence reports indicated were associated with a Libyan foreign fighter involved in suicide bombing operations.  As Coalition Forces approached the first building, seven armed terrorists engaged the ground force with small arms fire.  Coalition Forces, responding in self-defense, engaged the seven armed men, killing six and wounding one.  The wounded terrorist fled the scene.

Coalition Forces caught the wounded terrorist and two other suspected terrorists as they moved from the first building into the second. The wounded individual was taken to a military medical facility for treatment and the two suspected terrorists were detained.

During a search of the area, Coalition Forces found improvised explosive device-making materials, weapons, and a vehicle containing a heavy machine gun and hand grenades.  Coalition Forces safely destroyed the IED materials, vehicle and weapons on site and detained another seven suspected terrorists for their involvement with foreign fighters and al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide bombing operations.

During another Sunday raid in Anbar province, Coalition Forces targeted associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader.  As the ground force arrived at the buildings near Zaydon, they awakened three men outside the building.  One man drew a pistol while the other two reached for weapons.  Coalition Forces responded to the hostile threat and engaged the armed men with small arms fire, killing them.

Another armed man nearby moved into a tactical position against the ground force, and Coalition Forces, perceiving a hostile threat, engaged the armed man, killing him.

Inside the targeted buildings, Coalition Forces detained two suspected terrorists allegedly involved with the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader network.  The ground force also discovered a truck rigged with wires and other indications of vehicle-borne IEDs.  An explosives team safely destroyed the VBIED on site. 

In Mosul Sunday, Coalition Forces continued to assault the city’s terrorist network, capturing a suspected smuggler and four other suspected terrorists involved in IED attacks.  Intelligence reports indicate the alleged smuggler operated a taxi and transported terrorist operatives, weapons, funds and letters between Iraq and Syria.  He is also suspected of involvement in the murder of a female worker at Badush prison in January.

“We are relentlessly attacking the al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and networks that seek to derail progress in the country,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.  “Terrorists have no place in the future of Iraq.”
 
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