RELEASE No. 20100307-05
March 7, 2010

TIKRIT, Iraq – Acting on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. advisors, arrested a suspected Jaysh Rijal Tariq al Naqshabandi cell leader in Kirkuk, March 5.

ISF suspect the individual is a key financier and facilitator in the Kirkuk area and the villages of Barwana and Daquq.  Security forces believe the individual obtains funding from outside of the country and then smuggles the funds into Iraq to sustain terrorist operations.

The suspect is also accused of smuggling weapons into the area from Baghdad.

Intelligence reports indicate the individual is connected to al-Qaeda in Iraq and Islamic State of Iraq cells responsible for vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks.

“Iraqi Security Forces are dedicated more than ever to arresting individuals like this suspect who align themselves with various terrorist organizations in order to intimidate innocent Iraqi citizens with fear and violence,” said Maj. April Olsen, a spokesperson for Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.

In accordance with the Security Agreement and in coordination with the Iraqi government, Iraqi and U.S. forces conduct joint operations to target terrorists seeking to disrupt the security and stability of Iraq.

-30-

FOR QUERIES, CONTACT UNITED STATES FORCES- IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TO CALL DSN FROM A COMMERCIAL LINE:
DIAL COUNTRY CODE 964 IF NECESSARY, THEN 770-443-4600; YOU WILL HEAR A DIAL TONE; DIAL THE SEVEN-DIGIT DSN NUMBER LISTED BELOW; IT WILL TAKE 20 - 30 SECONDS FOR THE CALL TO GO THROUGH.

USF-I JOINT OPERATIONS CENTER (JOC) PAO (24-HOURS):  485-4710 USF-I MEDIA OFFICER:  485-4596 USF-I MEDIA OFFICER (ARABIC): 485-5430 USF-I DEPUTY PAO:  485-4806