RELEASE No. 20100206-01
Feb. 6, 2010

TIKRIT, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. advisors, arrested a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader in Khalaf al Hasun village in Diyala province, Feb. 5.

An Iraqi court issued an arrest warrant for the suspected AQI cell leader, who is believed to be in charge of up to six improvised explosive device networks in Diyala province.

ISF suspects the individual of IED attacks and murdering Iraqi citizens throughout Diyala province.

He is also suspected of formerly operating numerous Ansar al-Sunnah terrorist cells in the Nida Tribal Area before becoming an AQI leader. Ansar al-Sunnah is believed to have connections with AQI and the Islamic State of Iraq terrorist groups.

“By successfully apprehending this AQI cell leader, the Iraqi Security Forces are demonstrating their ability to protect their fellow Iraqis,” said Maj. April Olsen, a spokesperson for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.

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