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

Press Release A071130c
November 30, 2007

Coalition forces target foreign terrorist facilitators, car-bombers, propaganda cells; one terrorist killed, 17 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 17 suspects late Thursday and today, during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.

During operations near Sharqat, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a key member in al-Qaeda in Iraq’s media and propaganda network. Reports indicate the wanted individual may have been using the target area as a safe haven to re-establish the network after significant degradation by Coalition forces’ recent operations.

Upon entering the target area, Coalition forces saw a vehicle leaving the target building carrying six individuals traveling toward them at a high rate of speed. After firing warning shots, the vehicle continued to display hostile intent. Coalition forces engaged the vehicle, when it turned around and dropped two armed men off at the target building.

The ground force entered and safely secured the building, and found that the two men had been wounded during the earlier engagement. One of the wounded received immediate medical care, but later succumbed to his wounds at a military medical facility. The other wounded suspect also received medical treatment by a Coalition forces medical expert, and was transferred to a military medical facility. He was detained along with four suspects, including the wanted individual.

A female civilian, who had been in the vehicle, also received a minor laceration on her arm, but she was treated on site and left with Iraqi police. While searching the building, the ground force also discovered four AK-47 machine guns and one military style bullet-proof vest.

Later, while targeting al-Qaeda’s car-bombing network in Baghdad, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a close associate of several senior car-bombing leaders in Karkh. The wanted individual, who reportedly is an al-Qaeda cell leader involved in attacks against Coalition forces in the Arab Jabour area, was subsequently detained along with two other suspected terrorists.

Coalition forces targeted individuals reportedly involved in foreign terrorist facilitation during three more precision operations. One of the targeted individuals is believed to be involved in the movement of weapons and to have ties to senior al-Qaeda in Iraq operating in the southern belt region. During an operation in the capital city, Coalition forces called for the occupants of several adjacent buildings to come out, but no one complied, so the ground force entered and detained six suspects.

In Mosul, Coalition forces targeted another terrorist associated with foreign terrorist facilitation. During the operation, the ground force captured a wanted individual believed to have information on the terrorist facilitation network. The suspect is also reportedly a direct contact of several terrorist senior leaders who were recently detained by Coalition forces for their role in al-Qaeda operations. The wanted individual was identified by a family member and subsequently detained.

Early today, southeast of Samarra, the ground force targeted an alleged leader in the al-Qaeda network operating in the city. The target area was believed to be an al-Qaeda safe house for the wanted individual and served as a headquarters for foreign terrorists. Upon arriving at the area, the ground force entered and secured two buildings and detained two suspects without incident.

“Iraqi and Coalition forces are diligently working to find and neutralize al-Qaeda in Iraq’s terrorist networks, but violence is still too high,” said Capt. Vic Beck, MNF-I spokesman. “We are squarely focused on making Iraq safe and secure for all Iraqis.”

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