From MNF-I, Coalition raids nab 33 suspected terrorists.
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces detained 33 suspected terrorists during operations Saturday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq and its associates in Kirkuk and the Tigris River Valley.
In Mosul, Coalition Forces captured the alleged leader of a terrorist group responsible for placing improvised explosive devices. The ground forces detained a second individual for his ties to the group, which is linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq.
During a raid on several buildings west of Tarmiyah, Coalition Forces detained 20 suspected terrorists for their association with the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq emir of the northern belts around Baghdad. Intelligence reports indicate the terrorist leader’s network is responsible for extortion, kidnappings, training female suicide bombers and vehicle-borne IED attacks using chlorine. One of the detainees led Coalition Forces to a nearby cache of IED and bomb-making materials, which an explosives team safely destroyed.
Coalition Forces conducted coordinated raids in Baghdad and Tarmiyah targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq emir believed to administer Shari’a law in the northern belts around Baghdad. The ground forces detained two suspected terrorists during the operation.
In Bayji, Coalition Forces conducted a precision raid targeting a sniper cell leader associated with an al-Qaeda in Iraq emir in the area. The ground forces detained four suspected terrorists associated with the alleged leader, who reportedly oversees 35 snipers.
Iraqi and Coalition Forces targeted an al-Qaeda in Iraq media emir believed to operate a media cell in Kirkuk. Three individuals were detained for their alleged association with the media cell. Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained two people during a nearby operation targeting an IED cell member believed to be part of the terrorist group responsible for the Jul. 16 vehicle-borne IED attacks in Kirkuk.
“Al-Qaeda’s leadership is on the run, just like they fled during the opening phase of Operation Arrowhead Ripper in Baquba,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue our operations to hunt them down wherever they hide.”
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