Coalition Troops Nab 7 Suspects, Seize Weapons in Iraq

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 28, 2007 - Coalition troops captured seven suspected terrorists and found two weapons caches today during operations targeting al Qaeda in Iraq, officials reported. Coalition forces detained a suspected terrorist in Bayji believed to be associated with attacks in the city by al Qaeda. Intelligence reports led coalition forces to the suspect's location, where he identified himself and was captured without incident.

In two other operations conducted in Tarmiyah and Baghdad, coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists in raids targeting al Qaeda senior leaders and associates. During another Baghdad raid, coalition forces seized three more suspected terrorists.

"We're steadily chipping away at the al Qaeda in Iraq network," said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "The disruption to their operations and supply of information hinders al Qaeda in Iraq's ability to attack innocent Iraqis."

In another anti-insurgent operation that ended today, U.S. soldiers seized two weapons caches in the Arab Jabour area southeast of Baghdad.

The first cache was found by soldiers of Company C, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. The cache contained three 60 mm mortar rounds, 12 mortar fuses, three 81 mm rockets, a 120 mm rocket, and 35 pounds of homemade explosives.

The second cache was discovered by members of an Iraqi citizens group. The Iraqis told U.S. soldiers of Company D, 1-30th Infantry Regiment who were in the area guarding a key travel route. The cache contained a 155 mm artillery shell, 10 feet of detonation cord, a rocket base plate and a timer with a battery. Both caches were destroyed.

In other operations this week:

-- Coalition forces detained three extremists yesterday in an early morning raid at the Baghdad International Airport. The detainees are believed to have positioned themselves in several high-level jobs at the airport so they could conduct kidnapping operations against Iraqi security forces and civilians. The men are also suspected of attacking Iraqi and coalition force with improvised explosive devices and mortars.

-- U.S. soldiers detained four men who'd been found harboring suspicious materials during a search operation conducted yesterday in the town of Hawr Rajab, south of Baghdad.

Paratroopers of Troop B, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, detained the men after finding suspicious material in their house. Materials confiscated included an AK-47 assault rifle with three loaded magazines, two ski masks, seven cell phones and a pound of white powder. An explosive ordnance disposal team is assessing the powder, which could be a homemade explosive used in insurgent bombings, officials said.

The paratroopers, attached to the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, are conducting missions in support of Operation Marne Torch II to interdict insurgent operations in the region.

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