Press Release 20100306-01
March 6, 2010

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces arrested 10 suspected terrorists Friday during two joint security operations conducted in central and northern Iraq targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq attack cells prior to the country’s March 7 elections.

Iraqi Security Forces are making a concerted effort to target terrorist organizations like AQI that intend to carry out attacks as elections near to disrupt government operations and deter voters from participating in national elections.

In Bayji, located approximately 102 km southwest of Kirkuk, the 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors, in coordination with Iraqi Police, searched several buildings for a suspected AQI member believed to have carried out multiple improvised-explosive device attacks within the region.

Within one of the buildings, the security team discovered weapons, numerous rounds of ammunition and IED-making materials such as rolls of copper wire.

After conducting preliminary questioning and an initial examination of evidence at the scene, Iraqi Police arrested five suspected criminal associates of the warranted AQI member.

During a separate security operation conducted in a rural area located approximately 15 km southwest of Baghdad, ISF and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected AQI explosives-cell member. The wanted individual has allegedly staged attacks in and around Baghdad in addition to having planned coordinated vehicle-borne IED attacks against the Iraqi government ahead of the upcoming elections.

Information and evidence gathered during the security operation led ISF to arrest the wanted individual and four suspected criminal associates.

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

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE USF-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.