MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.usf-iraq.com
703.343.8790

Press Release A080307c
March 7, 2008

Al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq disrupted; eight killed, 17 detained

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed eight terrorists and detained 17 suspects Thursday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.

Northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains today, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Kanan village. The targeted individual is reportedly associated with numerous AQI members in the region. During the operation, the ground force called for the occupants of several target buildings to come out and observed them attempting to engage the ground force. Coalition forces responded to the threat, killing four terrorists, including the wanted individual. The ground force secured the building where the wanted individual was located and discovered a cache of Urea, a common precursor for homemade explosive materials.

As Coalition forces continued to clear additional buildings in the target area, they encountered armed enemy personnel attempting to maneuver on their position. Responding to the perceived threat, the ground force engaged, killing another four terrorists. Once the target area was secure, Coalition forces safely destroyed two buildings which contained the Urea and a cache of weapons, to prevent further use for terrorist attacks. Seven suspected terrorists were also detained during the operation.

During two additional coordinated operations in Samarra this morning, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists, including two wanted individuals. One of the suspects is an alleged leader for the Samarra AQI network and close associate to the senior leader, providing his residence as a bed down location for the leader’s family. Also, the suspect’s son is reportedly involved in VBIED attacks and part of the cell in the region. The other wanted individual, detained nearby, is reportedly a direct associate of AQI senior leadership, including members of the senior leader’s inner circle.

North of Tarmiyah today, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of the AQI northern belt network. The network is responsible for the majority of improvised explosive device attacks in the area, and is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. The suspected terrorist is reportedly responsible for providing information on Coalition operations in the area for use in planning attacks. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.

Coalition forces captured another alleged associate of the northern belt AQI network during an operation in Baghdad today. Reports indicate the suspect has direct ties to the senior leader of the network and to numerous terrorists involved in the VBIED network in Karkh. The suspect is also allegedly responsible for forging identification documents for numerous AQI members in the region.

On Thursday, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorist during an operation east of Tikrit, near the Hamrin Mountains, targeting an alleged AQI weapons facilitator involved in smuggling and kidnapping operations.

"Al-Qaeda in Iraq's attacks only strengthen our resolve to support the courage of the Iraq people," said Lt. Michael Street, MNF-I spokesman. "Iraqi and Coalition forces are committed to ending the terrorists' campaign of indiscriminate violence and creating a safer country for all Iraqis."

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MNF-I PRESS DESK AT: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
FOR THIS PRESS RELEASE AND OTHERS VISIT www.usf-iraq.com.

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.usf-iraq.com
703.343.8790

Press Release A080307c
March 7, 2008

Al-Qaeda networks in central Iraq disrupted; eight killed, 17 detained

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed eight terrorists and detained 17 suspects Thursday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq.

Northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains today, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Kanan village. The targeted individual is reportedly associated with numerous AQI members in the region. During the operation, the ground force called for the occupants of several target buildings to come out and observed them attempting to engage the ground force. Coalition forces responded to the threat, killing four terrorists, including the wanted individual. The ground force secured the building where the wanted individual was located and discovered a cache of Urea, a common precursor for homemade explosive materials.

As Coalition forces continued to clear additional buildings in the target area, they encountered armed enemy personnel attempting to maneuver on their position. Responding to the perceived threat, the ground force engaged, killing another four terrorists. Once the target area was secure, Coalition forces safely destroyed two buildings which contained the Urea and a cache of weapons, to prevent further use for terrorist attacks. Seven suspected terrorists were also detained during the operation.

During two additional coordinated operations in Samarra this morning, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists, including two wanted individuals. One of the suspects is an alleged leader for the Samarra AQI network and close associate to the senior leader, providing his residence as a bed down location for the leader’s family. Also, the suspect’s son is reportedly involved in VBIED attacks and part of the cell in the region. The other wanted individual, detained nearby, is reportedly a direct associate of AQI senior leadership, including members of the senior leader’s inner circle.

North of Tarmiyah today, Coalition forces captured an alleged associate of the AQI northern belt network. The network is responsible for the majority of improvised explosive device attacks in the area, and is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. The suspected terrorist is reportedly responsible for providing information on Coalition operations in the area for use in planning attacks. In addition to the wanted individual, the ground force detained two suspected terrorists on site.

Coalition forces captured another alleged associate of the northern belt AQI network during an operation in Baghdad today. Reports indicate the suspect has direct ties to the senior leader of the network and to numerous terrorists involved in the VBIED network in Karkh. The suspect is also allegedly responsible for forging identification documents for numerous AQI members in the region.

On Thursday, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorist during an operation east of Tikrit, near the Hamrin Mountains, targeting an alleged AQI weapons facilitator involved in smuggling and kidnapping operations.

"Al-Qaeda in Iraq's attacks only strengthen our resolve to support the courage of the Iraq people," said Lt. Michael Street, MNF-I spokesman. "Iraqi and Coalition forces are committed to ending the terrorists' campaign of indiscriminate violence and creating a safer country for all Iraqis."

- 30 -

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MNF-I PRESS DESK AT: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
FOR THIS PRESS RELEASE AND OTHERS VISIT www.usf-iraq.com.