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

Press Release A071030a
October 30, 2007

Four terrorists killed, 17 suspects detained during Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed four terrorists and detained 17 suspects during operations late Monday and early Tuesday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.

South of Baghdad, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged terrorist cell leader believed to be involved in attacks against Coalition forces in the Arab Jabour area. Reports indicate the targeted individual was a close associate of several al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders.

During the operation, Coalition forces began to clear the target area and observed four armed men maneuver into a ditch. When the ground force approached, they were engaged by enemy fire from two separate locations. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged, killing one terrorist believed to be the targeted individual. Supporting aircraft was called to suppress the enemy fire, killing another armed terrorist.

Coalition forces continued to track the remaining armed men, engaging and killing one additional terrorist. As the ground force proceeded to clear the area, they observed a man emerge from the rear of a building and run to a nearby palm grove. He did not comply when directed to come out from hiding by Coalition forces. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged killing the individual. Three suspects were also detained on site during the operation.

During an operation in Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be involved in terrorist activity in the city. The suspect was allegedly attempting to recruit Iraqi Army intelligence officers to gain information on Iraqis working with Coalition forces. Time-sensitive intelligence led the ground force to the wanted individual’s exact location where he and one other suspect, believed to be his brother, were detained.

Coalition forces detained three suspects during an operation northwest of Tarmiyah targeting an alleged terrorist media cell member involved in mailings, Internet postings and propaganda distribution. Intelligence information indicates the targeted individual is part of a group that records and reports terrorist operations near Tarmiyah. Past reporting indicates that the targeted individual also serves as a courier for the leader of the northern belt terrorist network. The network is believed to be involved in improvised explosive device and car-bombing attacks, foreign terrorist facilitation, extortion, intimidation and weapons trafficking.

In two coordinated operations near Kirkuk and in Bayji, Coalition forces targeted an individual believed to be the terrorist leader for the city. The targeted individual reportedly has a long history of involvement in al-Qaeda in Iraq and has numerous connections to senior terrorist leaders. In addition, the individual reportedly makes frequent trips to Mosul, coordinating terrorist operations and attacks in Kirkuk. The ground force detained eight suspects southwest of Kirkuk and one additional suspect in Bayji.

“These operations demonstrate that we’re not waiting for al-Qaeda to strike; we’re going after the terrorists where they hide,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue targeting them to diminish their ability to attack the Iraqis people and their elected government.”

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