MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER

BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.270.0320 / 0299Nov. 29, 2006

Release A061129b

11 HIGH LEVEL ANSAR AL SUNNA TERRORISTS CAPTURED

BAGHDAD, Iraq – In one week's time, Coalition Forces captured 11 suspected senior-level terrorists of Ansar al Sunna during a series of raids in north-central Iraq during mid-November.

During the raids, Coalition Forces captured the terrorist emirs of Iraq, Ramadi, Baqubah, Tikrit, al Qa’im, Bayji and Baghdad.  They also captured two terrorist facilitators, a courier, an explosives expert and a financier.

The detention of these terrorists delivers a serious blow to the AAS network that is responsible for improvised explosive device attacks and suicide attacks and on Iraqi government, Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians.  The AAS network is also responsible for multiple kidnappings, small arms attacks and other crimes in the central and northern part of Iraq. 

AAS is considered by some to be a leading terror organization in Iraq as al-Qaida’s leadership continues to crumble and it loses its ability to function due to Iraqi and Coalition Forces systematic dismantling efforts.

Although some AAS senior leadership allegedly hide in Iran, they continually plan attacks to disrupt Iraqi reconstruction efforts.  This allows the AAS leadership to attempt to disrupt Iraqi reconstruction progress using their followers, while keeping the leadership out of harms way.

The Iraqi people deserve to live in country free from terror.  Coalition and Iraqi Forces will continue to disrupt terrorist networks by killing and capturing terrorists, intercepting and destroying VBIEDs and suicide vests and continuously degrading terror cells operating within Iraq.