Iraqi Forces Arrest 8 Terrorist Suspects

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 3, 2010 - Iraqi security forces arrested eight suspected terrorists today during separate operations conducted in northern Iraq and Baghdad, military officials said.

Iraqi forces arrested five suspected terrorists during two joint security operations today to degrade the al-Qaida in Iraq network in northern Iraq. In Haditha, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for a suspected al-Qaida member believed to finance and traffic explosives into the Abu Ghraib area to carry out vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks. Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two suspected criminal accomplices.

During a separate operation in Khanaqin, the 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for a suspected al-Qaida member who coordinates attacks for the terrorist group in the Baghdad and Baqubah areas. Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest two suspected criminal associates of the warranted person.

Meanwhile, Iraqi soldiers today arrested two suspected terrorists during a joint security operation conducted in northeastern Baghdad to capture a suspected Promised Day Brigade terrorist leader.

Operating under a court-issued warrant, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors searched a residential building for a suspected terrorist leader linked to coordinating IED attacks in the Baghdad area. The suspect also is wanted for smuggling weapons into Iraq and for engaging in extortion activity, which serves as a source of funding for Promised Day, an Iranian-backed terrorist group.

While searching the building, the security team discovered a concealed compartment where the suspect was found hiding, armed with an AK-47 rifle and a significant amount of ammunition.

Information and evidence gathered at the scene led Iraqi soldiers to identify and arrest the suspected Promised Day leader and an alleged associate.

(Information compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)