Two Terrorists Killed in Iraq, 17 Detained

American Forces Press Service

April 12, 2007 – Coalition forces killed two suspected terrorists, detained 17 others, and seized weapons and documents owned by terrorists during operations in Iraq over the past two days.

-- Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained four others while targeting an al Qaeda in Iraq cell south of Haditha this morning. During the operation, ground forces engaged and killed two armed terrorists when they entered a targeted building.

-- In operations northwest of Karmah this morning, coalition forces captured four suspected terrorists with alleged involvement in car-bomb attacks.

-- In several operations overnight in Baghdad, coalition forces captured nine suspected terrorists with alleged ties to al Qaeda in Iraq, military officials said.

"Coalition forces will continue deliberate and methodical operations in order to hunt down and capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

In Diwaniyah yesterday, Iraqi security forces cordoned off and searched a suspected insurgent's office. This raid was based on intelligence gathered by military officials and targeted a known terrorist believed to be in the office that belongs to the Organization of the Martyr Sadr, an affiliation tied to radical cleric Moqtada al Sadr.

Coalition soldiers provided security outside the office as Iraqi troops entered the office and searched for the terrorist suspect and weapons. Once inside, the Iraqi troops found hand grenades, multiple identification cards, improvised explosive device-making materials, anti-government propaganda, photos of wounded soldiers and battle-damaged vehicles, and a low-power transmitting station.

In accordance with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki's recent directive, any buildings used for criminal or illegal purposes may be entered and searched, including those used by political parties, U.S. officials said. Additionally, Maliki's directive states that when sites are used for criminal or terrorist activities, they lose any protection they may have under international law.

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

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