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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070814-08
August 14, 2007

Iraqi Special Operations Forces, U.S. Special Forces capture key leadership of rogue JAM element
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces as advisors, conducted synchronized intelligence driven operations that detained 12 rogue Jaysh al-Mahdi insurgents Aug. 13 in Baghdad. The detainees include eight high-level leaders linked to JAM Special Groups that carry out attacks on Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
 
The suspects include a brigade commander, battalion commander, two company commanders and one leader of an extra-judicial killing cell. In addition, the forces captured several JAM cell members suspected of carrying out EJK and improvised explosive device attacks.
 
The brigade commander is responsible for five groups under his control. Reports indicate that he transports IEDs from Iran into Iraq and recently ordered an IED attack that caused the death of two U.S. Soldiers. The suspect also reportedly ordered his JAM members to set up illegal checkpoints to hunt down and assassinate Sunni citizens.
 
One alleged EJK cell leader is accused of emplacing an IED which detonated inside the Mareiam market on June 10 killing two Coalition soldiers.
 
The alleged insurgents are suspected of a long list of criminal activities, including the kidnapping and torture of Sunni citizens, and the assassinations of local government officials.
 
No Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured during these operations.

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS, CONTACT MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS – IRAQ, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it