Iraqi Forces Capture Terrorist, Conduct Raid for Murder Suspect

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2, 2006 – Specially trained Iraqi security forces captured a terrorist suspected of attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces during an early-morning raid yesterday near Taji, U.S. military officials reported. Iraqi forces, along with coalition advisors, conducted an air-assault near their objective, and quickly secured secondary objectives while detaining the suspect.

Multiple weapons were seized and a vehicle parked outside the raid site tested positive for exposure to explosives. Iraqi forces completed their mission and departed with the weapons and the detainee.

There were no shots fired, and no Iraqi or coalition forces or civilians were injured, officials said.

In a separate incident yesterday, Iraqi army forces conducted a raid in northeast Sadr City, Baghdad, to capture a suspect involved in the kidnapping and murder of Iraqi civilians.

Iraqi forces, along with coalition advisors, established a security cordon and quickly gained entry to multiple locations looking for the suspect. Iraqi forces detained four people of interest without incident or injury to them or the 14 women and children present at the locations, officials said.

During the operation, Iraqi forces received small-arms fire from multiple ground-level and rooftop locations and returned fire at identified targets to neutralize the threat. While departing, they were again engaged by small-arms fire from rooftops. Iraqi forces immediately identified the threats and neutralized them with well-aimed, controlled fire.

Operations on the objective caused minimal damage and resulted in no Iraqi or coalition forces casualties. The unit was unable to assess whether there were civilian casualties due to receiving enemy fire, officials said.

The operation was conducted as part of Operation Together Forward, which is aimed at reducing incidents of sectarian violence in Baghdad.

In addition, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, seized a large weapons cache northwest of Baghdad on Sept. 30.

The cache consisted of rocket-propelled grenades and boosters, fuses, grenade bodies and a missile warhead, officials said.

An explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed the weapons.