Coalition Troops Kill Enemy Fighter, Detain Two Suspects

American Forces Press Service

Sept. 9, 2008 - Coalition forces killed one enemy fighter and detained two suspects during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq's attack and facilitation networks in the Baghdad area today. Coalition forces targeted a known terrorist in Abu Ghraib, about 15 miles west of Baghdad. The wanted man is believed to be a member of a Baghdad car-bombing cell, and also had suspected ties to al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in the Hamrin Mountains region. In March, he engaged coalition forces in a gun battle but escaped by using civilians to shield himself, officials said.

Coalition forces called out to the occupants of the target building to surrender, and several women and children came out. They told the force two men were still inside, including the target individual, and that the men indicated they intended to avoid capture.

Based on the men's noncompliance and history of engaging coalition forces, the force perceived hostile intent and engaged them. The wanted man was killed, and the other man was detained.

In a separate operation south of Baghdad, coalition forces captured a suspected member of the al-Qaida in Iraq foreign terrorist facilitation network, officials said.

(From a Multinational Force Iraq news release.)