Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070722- 01
July 22, 2007

Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces detain suspected Al Qaeda cell leader near Taji
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Army Forces, with Coalition Forces as advisors, conducted a helicopter assault raid July 20 detaining a suspected Al Qaeda in Iraq leader suspected of numerous crimes including a recent attack that destroyed a bridge on a primary Iraqi transportation route.

Iraqi Soldiers detained their primary suspect without incident in a remote area northwest of Taji. 

The detained individual is the suspected leader of an Al Qaeda cell in the Qaryat al Majarrah region and recently claimed responsibility for a May 27 suicide truck-borne improvised explosive device attack that destroyed the a key bridge over the Danat Nazim al Majarrah Canal, a main Iraqi supply route in the Habbaniyah area. 

He is also allegedly responsible for facilitating foreign fighters and the planning and execution of multiple improvised explosive device attacks in Ramadi and other areas.  The insurgent leader and his cell are also suspected of murdering and intimidating Iraqi citizens, conducting oil smuggling operations, and committing a string of highway robberies in an effort to fund al Qaeda activities.

The capture and detainment of this alleged cell leader will greatly inhibit Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist activities in Western Iraq and reduce attacks in Ramadi and surrounding areas.

In a separate operation, two other individuals with suspected links to terrorist groups were detained during an operation outside Karmah. Iraqi and Coalition Forces also seized a large quantity of materials for making IEDs. The materials were destroyed with a controlled detonation in a safe area after ensuring all civilians were moved a safe distance away during the detonation.

No Iraqi or U.S. Special Forces were injured during this operation.

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