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

July 3, 2007
Release A070703b

3 terrorists killed, 29 suspects detained in Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed three terrorists, detained 29 suspected terrorists and destroyed a cache of bomb-making materials during operations in western and central Iraq Tuesday.

Coalition Forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq military emir during a raid west of Tarmiyah.  As the ground forces approached the target location, one suspect exited the building and maneuvered into a canal, taking up a fighting position against the ground forces.  After repeated attempts to call out to the suspect, Coalition Forces reacted to the perceived hostile threat and engaged the man, killing him.  Coalition Forces later identified him as the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader targeted in the raid.

While the ground forces were clearing buildings at the location, they saw a man with weapons and a military-style vest of ammunition crouching in a fighting position.  Coalition Forces, reacting to the perceived hostile threat, engaged the man, killing him.

The ground forces detained seven suspected terrorists from the objective for their alleged involvement in the al-Qaeda in Iraq network and association with the senior leader killed on site.

In western Baghdad, Coalition Forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq operative who is believed to be responsible for conducting illegal checkpoints and numerous killings in the area.  En route to the target location, Coalition Forces encountered three armed men hidden in a patch of reeds.  The ground force called out to the men to surrender, but one man drew his weapon.  Coalition Forces, acting in self-defense, engaged the armed man, killing him.  The other two armed men were taken into custody.  Coalition Forces detained a total of five suspected terrorists during the operation, including the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq operative.

Near Al Asad, Coalition Forces captured a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq operative allegedly tied to foreign terrorists and active in the vehicle-borne improvised explosive device network.  He is also suspected of involvement in a chlorine suicide bomb attack in Fallujah in March.  During the raid, Coalition Forces also detained three more suspected terrorists.

In Baghdad, Coalition Forces continued to conduct operations targeting leaders and operatives in the city’s VBIED network.  During a series of raids, the ground forces detained eight individuals allegedly tied to the network and destroyed three vehicles known to transport weapons and personnel for the terrorist organization.

Coalition Forces conducted a raid in Taji targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq operative allegedly involved in the local IED network, procuring weapons for the group.  The raid netted five suspected terrorists allegedly linked to the cell, and Coalition Forces found a cache of chemicals and bomb-making materials on site.  An explosives team safely destroyed the cache.

“We’re continuing to target the VBIED and home-made explosives networks to reduce the operations of the terrorists who indiscriminately attack Iraqi civilians,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.  “We remain committed to stopping those who would use violence to reignite the cycle of reciprocity of sectarian violence.” 

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