Coalition Forces Kill Six Terrorists, Detain 10 Suspects

American Forces Press Service

April 2, 2007 – Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 10 suspects yesterday and today during operations targeting al Qaeda in Iraq couriers and vehicle-bomb cells, military officials reported. Ground forces killed six terrorists tied to vehicle-bomb attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces today in Mosul. During the operation, ground forces entered the first of two targeted buildings and engaged three hostile men, including one armed with a pistol, officials said.

As one of the men charged at coalition forces, self-defense measures were used, killing the three terrorists. While approaching the second building, coalition forces began receiving enemy fire. Coalition forces returned fire, killing three more terrorists.

Officials report that three suspects were detained today in Baghdad with alleged ties to al Qaeda courier operations, and three more were detained for alleged involvement with car-bomb operations.

In other operations, officials report that coalition forces yesterday captured two suspected terrorists southeast of the Mosul who are allegedly involved in vehicle-bomb and rocket attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces.

Coalition forces captured a suspected senior-level al Qaeda in Iraq courier and an associate in an operation north of Karmah yesterday, while Iraqi police forces conducted an operation in Baghdad capturing a suspect believed to be involved in insurgent activities, military officials said.

With coalition advisors present for support, Iraqi forces raided a residence in the Shuada district of Kut, southeast of Baghdad, and captured their primary target without incident.

Iraqi forces also detained one other suspicious individual who was present during the operation. The primary target of this operation is alleged to be responsible for weapon smuggling and roadside bomb activities intended to kill Iraqi citizens, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces.

"These operations demonstrate that the coalition continues to whittle away at the al Qaeda in Iraq network," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

"Al Qaeda continues to demonstrate they are only interested in murder and destruction and are not interested in the peaceful future of a united Iraq," Garver said. "Eliminating the threat of al Qaeda will make Iraq safer for all Iraqis."

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

Article sponsored by criminal justice online leadership as well as police and military writers.