Multi-National Corps – Iraq

Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory

APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20080920-15

Sept. 20, 2008

ISOF, ISWAT operations in central Iraq round up criminals, kill one

Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Special Operations Forces and Iraqi Special Weapons and Tactics teams captured eight suspected criminals and killed one during separate operations in central Iraq Sept. 16-18.

In an operation Sept. 18, Hillah SWAT arrested a suspected criminal cell leader while serving an Iraqi Ministry of Interior warrant in the Hamza area. The criminal is suspected of small arms fire attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces, and is said to be a specialist in constructing electrical components for improvised explosive devices and explosively formed penetrators. While searching for another individual named in the warrant, SWAT detained three men in a home where they uncovered home-made explosives including a wooden crate wired to explode. U.S. Special Forces, who assisted in the operation, entered another home when they came under fire from within the house. They returned fire, killing the suspect.

In a separate operation Sept. 18 in New Baghdad, ISOF captured a suspected criminal leader of a cell that conducts IED attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces.

In Amarah Sept. 18, the newly-formed Amarah SWAT captured a suspected criminal cell leader and weapons facilitator of Iranian lethal aid to other criminal groups in Iraq.

On a Sept. 16 operation, Diwaniyah SWAT captured a suspected criminal cell leader that conducts indirect fire attacks against Coalition forces in the Diwaniyah area.

This series of operations are directed toward thwarting criminal activities as the Government of Iraq demonstrates a determination to bring those operating outside the law to justice.

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