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

Aug. 30, 2007
Release A070830a

Coalition targets al-Qaeda leadership; 7 suspected terrorists detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured two key suspects and five alleged associates during operations Thursday targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq along the Tigris River.

Coalition Forces detained a suspected senior terrorist facilitator and one other individual during two coordinated raids near Samarra.  The alleged facilitator also accompanied Coalition Forces to a prayer room next door to search for additional targeted terrorists.  The ground forces took great care while searching the area and departed without disturbing the prayer room. 

In the second raid, intelligence reports indicated a senior leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq was hiding in a nearby mosque, which was still under construction.  Coalition Forces entered the mosque without using force and took great care in securing the building.  One individual in an adjacent building was detained for his suspected association with the targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq leader.

Farther north, Coalition Forces captured an individual believed to be a former terrorist emir from the Baghdad area allegedly working with senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq to strengthen terrorist control in Bayji.  The ground forces detained four additional suspects for their alleged involvement in Bayji’s al-Qaeda in Iraq network.

“We respect religious holy sites and use precision operations to target terrorists who disregard the sanctity of those sites,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.  “Al-Qaeda in Iraq is not able to hide from us – we will find its terrorists wherever they are.”
 
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