Forces Detain 21 Suspects in Central, Northern Iraq

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 27, 2007 - Coalition forces have killed and detained many suspected terrorists during operations over the past two days in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained two suspected Iraqi "special groups" members during an operation in northern Baghdad this morning. Coalition forces targeted an individual suspected of weapons facilitation throughout central Iraq. The suspect is believed to have direct communication with senior special groups members as well as ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force. One terrorist was killed, and two suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.

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

In other operations over the past two days:

-- Coalition forces operating south of Samarra today captured seven suspected terrorists, including an alleged foreign terrorist facilitator in the Salah Ad Din province who identified himself to the ground force. During the operation, an armed individual was wounded while attempting to evade capture. He was treated on site and transported to a military medical facility for further treatment.

-- In an operation in Bayji, coalition forces captured a suspected associate to al Qaeda senior leaders believed to facilitate meetings in the Tigris River Valley. Based on intelligence reports, the suspect also is believed to be responsible for attacks on Iraqi security forces in the region. In addition to the targeted individual, four suspected terrorists were detained on site.

-- Near Baghdad, coalition forces targeted a suspect believed to be responsible for the movement of an al Qaeda senior leader involved in foreign-terrorist facilitation and supply for the Baghdad car-bombing network. Four suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.

-- In a precision operation west of Tarmiyah yesterday, coalition forces also detained five suspected terrorists targeting an associate of the al Qaeda foreign terrorist network.

In other operations this week:

-- A group of Task Force Marne soldiers discovered a weapons cache consisting of two 60 mm mortars, two 60 mm mortar primers, two 120 mm mortar primers, 10 12.7 mm rounds, 50 .50-caliber rounds, a rocket-propelled grenade, a Chinese-type rocket-propelled grenade, a Chinese-type propelling charge, and five fuses, Sept. 25.

-- Paratroopers of 25th Infantry Division netted 12 suspects during two separate operations south of Busayefi and west of Hawr Rajab on Sept. 25. Four of the detainees were on the paratroopers' target list.

-- Iraqi army soldiers discovered a weapons cache in an abandoned house in western Ninewah province Sept. 24. Among the items found were more than 140 mortar rounds, nearly two dozen AK-47 assault rifles with dozens of loaded magazines, two sniper rifles, 50 hand grenades, and a ready-made improvised explosive device in a 5-gallon bucket. In addition to the munitions, four sets of Iraqi army uniforms, six tactical vests, and four fake license plates were seized.

"This is the second significant cache discovered based on information provided by four enemy fighters who were captured on Sept. 20," said Army Maj. Mufutau Taiwo, executive officer of 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment. "The (Iraqi) soldiers out here are doing an exceptional job of finding and removing these large stockpiles of enemy weaponry before they can be used in attacks against the citizens of Nineveh and Iraqi and coalition forces."

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