Forces Disrupt Terrorist Operations In Iraq

Coalition Forces Disrupt Terrorist Operations, Detain Seven

Coalition forces detained seven suspects during operations today to disrupt al Qaeda operations in Tarmiyah, Iraq.

During one operation, coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be an associate of an al Qaeda in Iraq senior leader involved in the northern belt terrorist network.

Coalition forces approached the target building and called for the occupants to come out. The ground force detained five suspected terrorists, including the wanted individual, who identified himself to coalition forces. Upon securing the area, they found a machine gun and pistol.

In other operations south of Tarmiyah, coalition forces captured another wanted individual believed to be involved in al Qaeda in Iraq's media and propaganda networks. Coalition forces detained one other suspect, in addition to the wanted individual, without incident.

"We continue to make progress, but there will be difficult times ahead as we work towards the day when innocent civilians can go about their lives without worrying about terrorist attacks," said Navy Cmdr. Scott Rye, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

In other recent Iraq operations:

-- Multinational Division Baghdad troops arrested seven individuals believed to have terrorist ties in southern Baghdad on Dec. 1. The 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and 4-64th Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, both attached to 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, initially detained the suspects after getting positive identifications from area residents and Iraqi security volunteers.

-- Coalition forces killed one terrorist and detained 16 suspected terrorists during operations Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 to disrupt al Qaeda operations in the central and northern parts of Iraq. Those detained include an individual believed to be responsible for facilitating funds in the southern belt terrorist network and an alleged recruiter for a suicide attack cell.

-- Iraqi police from the Nasiriyah special weapons and tactics team detained a suspected high-level improvised-explosive-device facilitator during operations Nov. 30 to disrupt extremist networks operating in the area. The suspect is reported to be an extremist company commander and the primary facilitator for an IED network that is responsible for multiple IED attacks against Iraqi security forces and coalition forces. When captured, the suspect had Iranian weapons and munitions in his possession, including an Iranian rocket-propelled-grenade launcher, three new Iranian-made RPG rockets and boosters, several AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition. Four other individuals were detained by SWAT for further questioning.

-- Coalition forces captured two suspected criminals Nov. 30 during operations in the Kadhimyah and Shaab areas, near Baghdad. Intelligence reports indicate the captured suspect in the Kadhmiyah area was a weapons facilitator for "special groups" criminal elements. The second suspect was reportedly a special groups weapons facilitator and distributor who transported weapons from Baghdad to Diyala province.

-- Multinational Division Baghdad troops arrested a suspected terrorist bomb maker and two financiers and found two improvised explosive devices in the Iraqi capital's Rashid district Nov. 30.

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

ENDS

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