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

Aug. 17, 2007
Release A070817a

14 suspects detained for ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 14 suspected terrorists Thursday and Friday around central and northern Iraq during continuing operations to remove senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

Coalition Forces conducted three precision raids in and around Baghdad.  Thursday, ground forces captured an individual suspected of leading an al-Qaeda in Iraq car bombing cell.  Friday, Coalition Forces captured a suspected terrorist with ties to senior terrorist leaders in Baghdad.  Near Taji, ground forces captured an alleged weapons facilitator working for al-Qaeda in Iraq’s emir of the northern belts around Baghdad and detained two additional suspects.

In Salah ad Din province, Coalition Forces also targeted senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq during three operations Thursday and Friday.  During a precision raid Thursday west of Balad, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting an individual associated with the al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of northern Iraq who allegedly facilitates the movement of terrorist leaders.  Five suspected terrorists were detained during operations Friday near Balad and Samarra targeting the al-Qaeda in Iraq communications network and an al-Qaeda leader known to conduct car bombings, kidnappings, assassinations and extortion.

Based on information from suspects detained earlier in the week, Coalition Forces conducted an operation Friday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders and their associates in Mosul.  The ground forces detained three individuals with alleged ties to the terrorist leaders.

“Al-Qaeda is feeling the pressure of our operations, and we’re relentlessly pursuing the top levels of terrorist leaders,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.  “We will continue to target and then capture or kill the terrorists who direct and conduct brutal attacks against Iraqis.”
 
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