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

Aug. 20, 2007
Release A070820b

Three terrorists killed, 28 detained in operations against facilitators

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed three terrorists and detained 28 suspects during operations around the country Sunday and Monday to put pressure on terrorists facilitating the movement of al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

Coalition Forces captured an alleged member of the Baghdad car bombing network and one of his associates during a precision raid Monday morning in the city.  The targeted individual is also believed to be tied to a suspected terrorist detained during an operation Aug. 16 in Baghdad.

Coalition Forces also conducted two operations targeting associates of a Syrian-based terrorist facilitator responsible for bringing hundreds of terrorists into Iraq.  In Baghdad Sunday, local Iraqis reported terrorists were occupying several nearby buildings.  Coalition Forces secured the buildings and found rockets, pressure plates and bomb-making materials.  The ground forces detained 13 suspected terrorists for their association with the terrorist facilitation network and a local al-Qaeda in Iraq media producer.

On a related mission Monday, a separate assault force closed in north of Hawija while surveillance teams observed several men moving into tactical positions against the assault force.  Coalition Forces responded to defend against the hostile threat by engaging the men, killing three.  Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist on the scene for his alleged ties to a local al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who works with the Syrian-based facilitator.

In Kirkuk Monday, Iraqi and Coalition Forces conducted a raid based on intelligence gained from an operation Jun. 19 in the same area.  The ground forces detained one suspected terrorist for his alleged ties to a weapons transporter for Kirkuk-based al-Qaeda in Iraq cells.

Coalition Forces in Mosul continued to target foreign terrorist facilitators associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders during two operations Monday.  Based on information from an operation Aug. 13, ground forces conducted a raid in the city and detained one suspected terrorist.  A woman received minor injuries when the assault force breached a door.  Coalition Forces medical personnel treated the woman on site and turned her over to local Iraqi emergency teams for transport to a local hospital.  A nearby raid netted four suspected terrorists.

Local Iraqis south of Bayji alerted ground forces to several suspected terrorists tied to the individual targeted in a Coalition Forces operation there Monday.  The ground forces captured the targeted individual and detained five more suspects believed to work for a local leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq.  Coalition Forces also found a cache of weapons and military-style assault vests with the suspects.

“We’re on the offensive against al-Qaeda in Iraq and the foreign terrorists that help them,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.  “We will continue to hunt down terrorist leaders and those who take part in the planning and execution of their vicious attacks against innocent Iraqis.”
 
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