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

Press Release A080313a
March 13, 2008

Coalition targets facilitation networks, terrorist safe havens; two killed, 24 detained

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 24 suspects Wednesday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.

During an operation in Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured an alleged weapons facilitator associated with the city's al-Qaeda in Iraq network. The suspect is reportedly responsible for a recent shipment of homemade explosives, and has connections to the AQI leadership and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device cells in Baghdad. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.

Northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains today, Coalition forces detained 10 suspected terrorists, including an alleged associate of the region's AQI network. Reports indicate the region is a known AQI and foreign terrorist safe haven, transient location and facilitation route. During the operation, the ground force repeatedly called for the occupants in the target buildings to come out, but two individuals did not comply with instructions. After some time, the individuals finally emerged and began maneuvering towards the ground force. The suspects were directed to stop but did not comply. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged, killing two terrorists.  Coalition forces also found several weapons in the target area, which were safely destroyed on site.

Nearby, Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists during a two-day operation in the region. During the operation, the ground force discovered three terrorist safe houses, located various medical supplies and destroyed three caches of weapons to prevent further use by terrorists.

During two operations northwest of Samarra today, Coalition forces detained four suspected terrorists while targeting an alleged foreign terrorist facilitator and associates of a media cell leader involved in the al-Anbar AQI network.

Coalition forces detained another three suspected terrorists during continued efforts to disrupt al-Qaeda operations in northern Iraq. Southwest of Bi'aj, Coalition forces captured an alleged foreign terrorist facilitator with connections throughout the AQI network, including ties to a senior level facilitator operating outside of Iraq. Also, two suspected terrorists were detained in Mosul Wednesday while targeting an alleged associate of AQI senior leaders operating in the region.

"These captures are another step forward in disrupting al-Qaeda in Iraq networks," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "Each operation leads to another target, another operation and another success, ultimately diminishing al-Qaeda's ability to attack innocent people and improving the overall security situation across Iraq."

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