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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070805-12
August 5, 2007

Iraqi Army, Special Operations Forces capture beheading, torture cell leader
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Iraqi Army Forces, and U.S. Special Operations Forces captured a suspected senior member of an al Qaeda in Iraq beheading and torture cell during a helicopter assault raid, Aug 4. 
 
With U.S. Special Operations Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Soldiers detained their primary suspect and four additional persons of interest without incident at a residence in the vicinity of Karmah, located northeast of Fallujah.  Two assault rifles, numerous rounds of ammunition, cassette tapes, propaganda materials and photos were also seized during the operation. 
 
The primary suspect is second in command of an al Qaeda cell in Karmah.  He is purportedly responsible for approximately 40 executions where he personally kidnapped, tortured, killed and beheaded individuals or gave orders for others to do so.  He and his cell are also alleged to have facilitated foreign fighters, smuggled large weapons caches into Iraq, and planned attacks against Iraqi Security Forces and facilities.
        
No Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured during the operation.  

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