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

Press Release A080115a
January 15, 2008

Coalition forces disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq operations, 14 suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces detained 14 suspected terrorists today and Monday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.

Monday in Kirkuk, Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist reportedly involved in the murder of a U.S. citizen and members of a personnel security detail for the Iraqi National Dialogue Council. The suspect is also believed to be an associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader of the network in Kirkuk and involved in the Baghdad car bomb network. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists on site.

During an operation in Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured another suspected terrorist who is an alleged associate of an improvised explosive device attack cell in Karkh. Reports indicate the individual is a former Iraqi intelligence officer and is associated with several of the suspected terrorists detained during an operation Dec. 25 for their ties to car bomb attacks (see MNF-I press release A071225a, "Coalition forces target terrorist facilitators, suicide bombers; 13 killed, 27 detained," dated Dec. 25, 2007).

West of Muqdadiyah this morning, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting associates of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in the northeast Diyala River Valley region. During the operation, the ground force detained four suspected terrorists and found a weapons cache inside one of the buildings. The cache contained 15 fused mortars and several machine guns and grenades, which were safely destroyed to prevent future use for terrorist attacks.

During other operations in Mosul and near Samarra today, five suspected terrorists were detained while targeting associates of an assassination cell leader and a senior level al-Qaeda in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitator.

"Iraqi and Coalition forces are making steady progress against al-Qaeda in Iraq," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "Though they remain a threat, our operations continue to deny the terrorists safe haven and diminish their manpower."

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