Coalition forces killed a terrorist emplacing improvised explosive devices and discovered several caches of extremist media and production materials during weekend operations in Tarmiyah.Coalition forces concluded a three-day operation Sept. 10 to tighten security in the northern belts around the capital. Coalition forces observed a man emplacing IEDs and responded to the hostile threat by engaging and killing him. The ground forces detained four suspected terrorists for their alleged ties to the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Tarmiyah.
During the operation, Coalition forces discovered a terrorist safe house and caches containing weapons manuals, artillery rounds and over 20,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate. Explosives experts with the ground forces safely destroyed the caches and the safe house.
The ground forces also discovered several caches of extremist media and production equipment hidden in underground holes and in trees. The caches included materials involving senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq, including handwritten notes and videos. Coalition forces experts are currently analyzing the media materials. “Al-Qaeda in Iraq’s leaders and operatives are under tremendous pressure from Iraqi and Coalition forces,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Their media and propaganda capabilities are under particular strain since the start of the Surge of Operations in June.”