Troops in Iraq Capture 14 Suspected Terrorists

American Forces Press Service

Nov. 26, 2008 - Coalition forces captured 14 suspected terrorists today during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist networks, military officials said. Forces captured two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists today near Haditha, northwest of Baghdad. The men, based in Beiji, are believed to have ties to bombing networks, officials said. Forces also detained four other suspects.

Elsewhere, forces captured a wanted man and an associate in Tuz Khurmatu, southeast of Kirkuk. The man is suspected of being an al-Qaida in Iraq administrative operative and explosives facilitator with ties to al-Qaida operatives outside of Iraq.

Also today, forces netted two men suspected of being associated with an al-Qaida in Iraq bomb operative. Forces also captured four suspected terrorists near Dawr, north of Baghdad, while targeting a Sumarra-area terrorist cell leader.

In operations yesterday:

-- Coalition forces captured a wanted man believed to be an al-Qaida in Iraq operative in Qayarrah, south of Mosul. The man is suspected of actively planning a car bomb attack in Sharqat. Forces also detained another suspect.

-- Coalition and Iraqi forces targeted al-Qaida in Iraq military leaders near Hawijah, southwest of Kirkuk. The forces captured a suspected terrorist believed to be connected to an al-Qaida in Iraq leader, along with another man.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained a suspected terrorist in southern Baghdad's Hadar community.

-- Acting on a tip, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers seized a 155 mm projectile northwest of Baghdad.

In separate Nov. 24 operations, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers and Iraqi National Police in southern Baghdad's Rashid district seized six AK-47 assault rifles and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers detained two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists.

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