Coalition Forces Kill 3, Detain 8 in Iraq Operations

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 26, 2007 - Coalition forces killed and detained several terrorists during operations today in central and northern Iraq.

-- Southwest of Kirkuk, coalition forces targeted an al Qaeda leader who has been connected to numerous other members of the al Qaeda network. As coalition forces arrived at the target location, they were engaged by armed men inside a building. The ground force returned fire and killed three terrorists. Two suspected terrorists also were detained on site. During the operation, three buildings and a small cache of weapons and ammunition were safely destroyed to prevent their further use by terrorists.

-- In an operation near Baghdad, coalition forces targeted an associate of the al Qaeda network operating in the southern belt around Baghdad. The targeted individual is believed to have knowledge of the movement of foreign terrorists and members of al Qaeda. Three suspected terrorists were detained on site.

-- Coalition forces also detained three suspected terrorists during an operation south of Tikrit targeting an al Qaeda senior leader reported to be a key member in the terrorist illegal court system throughout the Salah Ad Din province.

"We continue to bring al Qaeda to justice with successful operations like these," said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "In partnership with Iraqi security forces and the people of Iraq, we will bring to this country the security its citizens need."

Also today, coalition forces captured an Iraqi "special groups" member wanted for suspected terrorist activity and detained three others during operations in Baghdad. Intelligence reports indicate the targeted man is linked to logistics network facilitators and has ties to numerous criminals. He is reported to be a logistics expert involved in the movement of weapons used against Iraqi and coalition security forces. The ground force detained three other suspects on site without incident.

"'Special groups' members continue to remain intent on disrupting the growth and development of the government of Iraq," said Army Maj. Brad Leighton, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "We are in pursuit and will not allow them to succeed."

In other recent operations:

-- Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained two other suspected terrorists during operations targeting al Qaeda leaders in Musayyib yesterday. Following the operation, ground forces found weapons, including one suicide vest, and safely destroyed them on site.

-- Scouts from 8th Iraqi Army Division confiscated and destroyed a large weapons cache following an operation yesterday in Diwaniyah. The forces confiscated the following materials: three rocket-propelled-grenade rounds, three explosively formed penetrators, a shaped charge for an improvised explosive device, 12 81 mm Iranian mortars, detonator cords, batteries, ammunition, sniper rifle parts and magazines, a large amount of fuses, blasting caps, homemade firing devices and explosive primers, and a large amount of terrorist propaganda.

-- Iraqi security forces with U.S. Special Forces advisors intercepted a vehicle carrying IED material during a traffic control point yesterday near Samarra. Forces set up the checkpoint outside Samarra to interdict a possible al Qaeda re-supply of bomb-making materials. As the sedan approached the traffic control point, it was observed pulling off on a side road about 500 meters away. The forces immediately approached the car and searched it, discovering 35 155 mm artillery rounds inside. After the vehicle was moved to a controlled area, an air strike was called in to destroy it.

-- Soldiers from 2nd Iraqi Army Division detained two al Qaeda terrorist suspects Sept. 24 during a raid in the Jimissa Al-Jazeera village, near Qayyarah. One of the detained insurgents is believed to be responsible for rocket and IED attacks against Iraqi and U.S. forces, specifically a forward operating base in northern Iraq. In addition, two AK-47 assault rifles with ammunition were seized.

-- Task Force Marne AH-64 Apache helicopters responded to an IED strike Sept. 24, killing the four extremist militants responsible. The device struck the 82nd Support Brigade, attached to 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, while the unit was traveling south on a main thoroughfare to and from Baghdad. Aerial surveillance observed the four militants in a nearby canal moments before the IED detonated. The Apaches engaged and killed the militants. Forces also found AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition at their location.

-- Iraqi special operations forces detained a suspected criminal leader during an operation Sept. 23 in western Baghdad targeting rogue criminal elements. The suspect is a leader of a criminal element that operates out of the Ghazaliyah area. His group is responsible for conducting attacks on coalition forces using IEDs. They also are linked to kidnappings and murders of local residents.

-- Iraqi special operations forces detained two suspected al Qaeda terrorists Sept. 23 during an operation to disrupt terrorist networks on the southern outskirts of Baghdad. The primary suspects are members of a cell that kidnaps local residents and attacks Iraqi and coalition forces with IEDs. Three other suspicious individuals who were present during the operation were also detained for questioning. The forces also seized an AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol, a knife and a pistol belt.

In other news, Iraqi special operations forces conducted an operation yesterday designed to apprehend individuals suspected in the kidnapping and murder of the former Iraqi Military Academy commandant, Maj. Gen. Imad, and with the kidnapping of the current commandant, Brig. Gen. Hassan, who was subsequently released.

"Ministry of Defense action against these criminals demonstrates that the government of Iraqi is dedicated to establishing security and defeating criminal elements wherever they are in the country," said Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammed al-Askari, a Ministry of Defense spokesman. "Iraqi security forces are focused on eliminating criminals from their ranks."

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