Coalition Forces Detain 11 in Iraq, Discover Weapons Cache

American Forces Press Service

May 15, 2007 – Coalition and Iraqi forces nabbed 11 suspected terrorists and seized a cache containing weapons and explosives in Iraq today. Troops operating in Mosul this morning raided a building and detained an alleged Ansar al-Sunna terrorist group leader. The detainee provided weapons, documents and finances to support the group's criminal activities, military officials said.

In another raid aimed at dismantling the Ansar al-Sunna network in Fallujah today, coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists who allegedly operate in eastern Anbar province.

Northwest of Taji today, coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists with alleged ties to al Qaeda in Iraq senior leadership.

"The information we gain from these successful operations leads us one step closer to dismantling terrorist networks in Iraq and helping the Iraqi people," said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

Paratroopers near Musayyib this morning detained a militia member with alleged connections to recent attacks against Iraqi security and coalition forces.

Acting on information volunteered by local residents, paratroopers from Company D, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, raided a house in eastern Musayyib and captured a suspected leader of the group responsible for planting explosively formed projectiles in the area.

At the house, troops found one AK47 assault rifle, a Russian 9 mm pistol, a 9 mm submachine gun, three ammunition bandoliers, a Russian hand grenade, two stun grenades, and six ammunition magazines. Forces also discovered improvised explosive devices, a roll of copper wire used to make explosively formed projectiles and the suspect's militia identification card.

The weapons and ammunition that troops confiscated will be destroyed. The detainee is being held for further questioning.

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

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