Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080323-10
March 23, 2008

Al Qaeda leader in Kirkuk, 3 suspects detained
Multi-National Division – North PAO

KIRKUK, Iraq – A suspected al Qaeda in Iraq leader in Kirkuk and three other suspects were detained March 20 during a raid conducted by Coalition forces near the village of Rashaad in the Kirkuk Province. 

Iraqi citizens provided the information leading to the capture of the suspected al Qaeda in Iraq leader and other suspects. 

The tips allowed Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division to conduct a precision raid to detain the suspects with minimal impact to Iraqi citizens. 

The detained suspect and his followers have conducted numerous acts of intimidation on innocent civilians since 2003. The suspect is believed to be the leader for major IED and insurgent operations in the Kirkuk Province and was believed to be responsible for the deaths of many Iraqis. 

“The suspect has brought much fear and death to the People of Kirkuk and to his own people in Hawijah. No longer will it be possible for him to harm innocent civilians,” said Col. David Paschal, commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. “We will continue to hunt down the remainder of the terrorists and bring them to justice.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – NORTH PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it OR DSN 318-856-0218