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

Sept. 24, 2007
Release A070924b

Three terrorists killed, 21 suspects detained during operations targeting al-Qaeda

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 21 suspected terrorists Monday during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and its foreign terrorist network in central and northern parts of the country.

Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership and foreign terrorist facilitators in operations east of Tikrit. When Coalition forces arrived at the target area, they discovered three armed terrorists in a courtyard. The ground forces called for the individuals to put down their weapons, but they did not comply and one armed man drew his weapon. Responding in self-defense, the ground forces engaged the terrorists, killing three. The terrorists and suspects are believed to be tied the car-bombing network in Baghdad and foreign terrorists facilitators in the Tigris River Valley.

During this operation Coalition forces discovered several caches of weapons, ammunition and military style uniforms in the target area. The weapons were safely destroyed by an expert explosives team on site.

Northeast of Mosul, Coalition forces conducted a precision operation targeting associates of the emir of al-Qaeda in northwestern Iraq and captured five suspected terrorists. One of the suspects is allegedly responsible for arranging vehicles, distributing wages and supplying false documentation for al-Qaeda in Iraq members.  He and one other suspect are believed to be brothers of the emir. 

Two Coalition forces operations in Baghdad and the northern belt targeted key operatives of al-Qaeda in Iraq.  One suspected terrorist was detained in Baghdad and another west of Tarmiyah.

“Terrorists who commit murderous acts against the people of Iraq have no place in this country’s future,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “We will remain on the offensive and root them out of their hiding places.”
 
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