Airstrike Kills 20-Plus Terrorists; Iraqis Nab 34 Suspects

American Forces Press Service

Oct. 1, 2007 - A coalition airstrike killed more than 20 militants, and Iraqi security forces accompanied by coalition advisors captured 34 suspected terrorists during operations across Iraq Sept. 29, officials reported.

-- A coalition aircraft fired on and killed more than 20 al Qaeda-affiliated insurgents during a battle northwest of Baghdad. The aircraft's crew defended themselves after insurgents launched rocket-propelled grenades and small arms at the aircraft. Four enemy vehicles were destroyed during the firefight.

-- Iraqi special operations troops detained a suspected al Qaeda in Iraq leader and two alleged cell members in Yusafiyah.

-- Two more suspects were detained in the Baghdad area. One of the criminals, who is believed to be a member of an explosively formed penetrator cell, is suspected of conducting roadside bomb attacks.

-- Iraqi soldiers detained a senior al Qaeda in Iraq leader and 10 other suspects in the Samarra area. The senior leader is believed to be responsible for facilitating the movement of foreign terrorists between Iraq and terrorist training camps in Syria. He also is suspected of supporting criminal activity in the Tash and Dahwa regions of Ramadi.

-- Iraqi forces accompanied by coalition advisors detained 18 suspected terrorists linked to al Qaeda in Iraq during a series of raids in the Mandali area of Diyala province. The raids targeted a regional al Qaeda cell believed to be responsible for kidnappings and murders of Iraqis in the Mandali area, improvised-explosive-device attacks and weapons smuggling on the Iranian border. Two of the detainees are suspected high-level al Qaeda in Iraq leaders. In addition, two weapons caches, three vehicles and four motorcycles were destroyed.

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