MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
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Press Release A071102a
November 02, 2007

Coalition forces disrupt terrorist operations; 10 killed, three detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed 10 terrorists and detained three suspects during operations Friday targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.

Southeast of Baghdad in Salman Pak, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting an alleged foreign terrorist facilitator with ties to al-Qaeda in Iraq senior members operating in the Arab Jabour area. Reports indicate the individual is also associated with several foreign terrorist facilitators operating outside of Iraq, and an al-Qaeda in Iraq member who claims involvement in attacks against Coalition forces.

The ground force was engaged by small arms fire as they approached the target building. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces engaged the terrorists and called for supporting aircraft to help suppress the enemy fire. The ground force observed multiple secondary explosions from one of the buildings when it was engaged by Coalition aircraft, indicating explosives may have been inside. The ground force continued to be engaged by enemy fire from several individuals who emerged from the target area, so supporting aircraft was requested, which engaged this hostile threat. When the enemy fire ceased, Coalition forces found that 10 terrorists had been killed. Two of the terrorists two were armed with suicide vests.

As Coalition forces secured the area, they discovered a small weapons cache, which included several suicide vests, heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft artillery. The building, including the small weapons cache, was safely destroyed to prevent further use by terrorists.

In another operation, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and one other suspect near Shaqat. The wanted individual is believed to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader responsible for facilitating communications from terrorist members to the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader, Abu Ayyub al-Masri. The wanted individual was allegedly the replacement for Sabah Hilal al-Shihawi, the radical religious advisor for the self-proclaimed Minister of Information for al-Qaeda in Iraq, Muharib Abdul Latif, both of whom were killed during a Coalition forces operation May 1 (SEE MNF-I RELEASE A070504b, “COALITION IDENTIFIES TWO AL-QAEDA ADVISORS KILLED,” dated May 4, 2007).

In Kirkuk, one suspect was detained during an operation targeting a leader of the al-Qaeda in Iraq suicide bomber network. Reports indicate the targeted individual is responsible for organizing, planning and directing vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks against Iraq citizens in Kirkuk, as well as being a foreign terrorist facilitator associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq and foreign terrorist leaders.

“We’re continuing to clear and hold areas where terrorists think they can hide,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “By disrupting their operations, we are helping to ensure the safety of Iraqi citizens.”

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