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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
RELEASE No. 20070729-29
July 29, 2007

High-level al-Qaeda cell members detained near Taji

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

FALLUJAH – Iraqi Security Forces conducted a helicopter assault raid July 28 detaining two known al Qaeda in Iraq cell members suspected of numerous crimes including murdering and intimidating Iraqi citizens and improvised explosive device attacks against Coalition Forces.

With U.S. Special Operations Forces present as advisers, Iraqi police detained their primary suspects without incident in a remote area northwest of Taji. 
 
The detained individuals are high-level members of an al Qaeda cell in the Qaryat al Majarrah region and directly linked to a cell leader who was also detained in the same area July 20. The first detainee is allegedly responsible for placing multiple IEDs and carrying out murder and intimidation campaigns against Iraqi citizens.  The second detainee is purportedly an al Qaeda lieutenant who allegedly has ties to an IED cell in Ramadi.  He has also claimed responsibility for murders in Qaryat al Majarrah and the al Tash region.
 
“The capture and detainment of these two individuals will further inhibit al Qaeda activities in Western Iraq and reduce attacks in Ramadi and Qaryat al Majarrah areas,” a U.S. Special Operations Forces commander stated following the mission.   “It also shows that the Government of Iraq will not allow anti-Iraqi Forces to interfere with the Iraqi government and their plans to stabilize the al Anbar area.”
 
No Iraqi or Coalition Forces were injured during this operation.

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