Iraqi Forces Kill 2, Arrest 22 With Suspected Terror Ties

Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq News Releases

Aug. 23, 2010 - Iraqi security forces killed two enemy fighters and arrested 22 suspects believed to have terrorism ties in recent operations in Iraq, military officials reported.

In Beiji today, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who allegedly is responsible for planning and executing vehicle-borne bomb attacks against coalition forces. Two suspected criminal associates of the al-Qaida in Iraq member also were arrested.

In a separate operation today, Iraqi forces arrested two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq criminal associates in eastern Rashid. The arrests were made as Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors were searching for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who allegedly is involved in vehicle-borne bombing attacks.

Yesterday in eastern Mosul, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who allegedly has close ties to the terror organization's senior leadership. As the security force moved toward the targeted building, a man on the roof fired at the security force, and Iraqi forces returned fire, killing him, along with an associate who tried to harm the security force. Three suspected criminal associates of the wanted al-Qaida in Iraq member were arrested.

In Baghdad and Fallujah yesterday, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors searched for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader linked to a number of high-profile attacks. Based on information and evidence gathered at the scenes of separate operations, Iraqi forces identified and arrested 13 suspected criminal associates of the wanted man.

Near Balad on Aug. 21, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader allegedly responsible for attacks against ISF and coalition forces. Information and evidence gathered at the scene, including a large amount of explosives detonated by the security force on site, led Iraqi forces to identify and arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted man.