Coalition Forces Kill, Detain al Qaeda Terrorists in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 18, 2007 - Coalition forces killed three terrorists and detained 16 suspected terrorists during multiple operations today targeting key al Qaeda operatives and mid-level leaders in Iraq's Tigris River Valley. "Al Qaeda in Iraq is on the run," said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "Our operations are hampering their ability to terrorize the Iraqi people."

In an operation in Arab Jabour, coalition forces targeting a key al Qaeda operative killed two terrorists with aircraft fire. A third man who refused to surrender to coalition ground forces also was killed when he maneuvered against the team. Six suspected terrorists were detained in that raid.

During a set of coordinated operations in Baghdad, coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a key operative for al Qaeda's international network, working for the al Qaeda emir of the southern belts around Baghdad. Two other suspects were detained during those raids.

In an operation in Bayji, coalition forces used information from an operation Aug. 4 to capture a suspected mid-level al Qaeda leader and two other suspects.

Meanwhile, 50 miles north of Bayji, a 13th suspected terrorist who is believed to smuggle weapons for al Qaeda was captured.

In another section of Baghdad, three more terrorists were captured, bringing the total to 16. In that raid, the chief suspect has been linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force network and is believed to be a leader of an improvised explosive device network and to have close ties to the production and distribution of explosively formed penetrators, a particularly deadly form of improvised explosive device. Concerned citizens led coalition forces to a local facility where the suspected "special groups" officer also worked as a security guard.

"We will continue to target any group with followers who commit hostile actions and oppose security and stability in Iraq," Danielson said. "Each time we capture one of these terrorists, it brings us one step closer to a secure future for Iraq."

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