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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080505-06
May 5, 2008

Iraqi Army captures two suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq IED cell leaders in separate operations

BALAD, Iraq – The Iraqi Army, advised by U.S. Special Forces, detained two suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq improvised explosive device cell leaders in separate operations in Tarmiyah and Judaidah, May 4.
 
Both operations were conducted to disrupt AQI safe havens and capture AQI IED cell leaders suspected of attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces.
 
In one operation, the 9th Iraqi Army Division captured an AQI IED cell leader reportedly responsible for attacks on Abna al-Iraq, or Sons of Iraq, and Coalition forces in Tarmiyah. The area is a historical AQI operating area, approximately 23 miles north of Baghdad.
 
This cell is also suspected of IED attacks on the main routes in and out of Tarmiyah, as well as producing and delivering IEDs to various insurgent groups.
 
In a separate operation in Judaidah, approximately 132 miles north of Baghdad, the 3rd Iraqi Army Division captured another AQI IED cell leader and detained three suspected members of his terrorist cell. The group is believed to be involved with IED emplacement and weapons smuggling.
 
“By targeting key operatives in al-Qaeda in Iraq’s IED networks, we are denying this foreign-led terrorist group its ability to carry out its cowardly and barbarous attacks against innocent Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces,” said Col. Bill Buckner, MNC-I spokesman.
 
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