Forces Kill Suspected Terrorist Leader

American Forces Press Service

March 23, 2010 - A suspected al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cell leader was killed and a suspected terrorist was arrested in operations in Iraq in recent days, military officials reported. A suspected al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cell leader was killed March 21 during a combined security operation in Yanijah Buyuk, south of Kirkuk.

Acting on a warrant issued by an Iraqi judge, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched a residential building for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cell member who is believed to have been involved in multiple improvised explosive device attacks in the Kirkuk area, including planning an upcoming vehicle-borne IED attack in Kirkuk on the Kurdish new year, which was yesterday. The suspected leader also is allegedly connected to higher-level al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in Tamim province.

During the operation, the security team spotted an individual inside as it approached the building. The suspect refused to comply with the team's directions to exit the building and instead reached for an assault rifle nearby. Perceiving an immediate threat to their safety, security team members shot and killed the gunman, who later was identified as the wanted individual.

No additional suspects were injured or arrested.

Iraqi police arrested a suspected terrorist yesterday during a combined security operation in western Baghdad to capture a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader.

Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for the suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader who is believed to facilitate financing for the terrorist group, associate regularly with other high-level al-Qaida in Iraq leaders and coordinate deadly vehicle-borne IED attacks throughout the capital city.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected during the operation led Iraqi police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted individual.

(From U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)