Iraqis Capture Suspected Explosives-Cell Member

American Forces Press Service

Feb. 1, 2010 - Iraqi security forces arrested a wanted Baghdad explosives-cell member and a suspected accomplice today during a combined security operation in a rural area south of Baghdad.

Based on tips, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building complex for a suspected al-Qaida cell member who assembles car bombs used in attacks within the capital city.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led forces to identify and arrest the wanted man and a suspected accomplice.

In operations Jan. 30:

-- In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida cell member linked to the transportation of money and explosives for the terrorist organization into Abu Ghraib. Based on the results of preliminary questioning and evidence discovered at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and three suspected accomplices.

-- Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings northwest of Baghdad for a suspected al-Qaida member who assists in transporting explosives into the area. After examining evidence collected at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and four suspected criminal accomplices.

-- Iraq's 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched a building northwest of Baghdad for a suspected al-Qaida member involved in coordinating bombing attacks. Preliminary interviews and evidence collected in the building led police to arrest four suspected criminal associates of the warranted man.

-- Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two homes in northwestern Mosul for a suspected al-Qaida member who purchases and plants bombs within the region. During the operation, a suspect lunged for and attempted to wrestle away a security member's firearm. Perceiving a threat to the safety of those in the room, another security team member shot the suspect. A medical technician attached to the security team was immediately called in to treat the injured man, who died at the scene. Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, forces arrested four suspected associates of the wanted man.

In operations Jan. 29:

-- Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors intercepted bomb-making materials in Diyala province. Intelligence reports indicate al-Qaida planned to use the cache to build a car bomb. The Iraqi forces air assaulted into the area and quickly secured the material. Six 80-pound bags of a fertilizer-based explosive, two five-gallon cans of homemade explosives, and one grenade were seized during the operation.

-- Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected terrorist cell leader in Salah ad-Din province. An Iraqi court issued the warrant for the arrest of the cell leader, who is thought to have ties to al-Qaida in Iraq. ISF believe the man is responsible for a smuggling operation and trafficking foreign fighters into Iraq. He is also accused of creating propaganda products.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)