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| Iraq |
| Coalition forces targets weapons facilitation networks; two killed, 12 detained |
| 2008-02-18 |
| Coalition forces killed two terrorists and detained 12 suspects Saturday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq. In continued efforts to disrupt terrorist safe havens northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains, Coalition forces conducted an operation Saturday targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the network operating in the Albu Awad village. As they arrived at the target location, two men were observed fleeing the area and were directed to stop. Both men continued to maneuver in opposite directions and Coalition forces followed one, engaging and killing him. The other individual was found hiding with a pistol, ready to fire at the ground force. Perceiving hostile intent from the armed suspect, Coalition forces engaged, killing him. In Baghdad today, Coalition forces captured an alleged senior level car-bomb facilitator for al-Qaeda in Iraq networks throughout Baghdad and north to Tikrit. Reports indicate the suspected terrorist was a former leader for the AQI network in Karkh, and was involved in the abduction of an Iraqi intelligence officer last spring. The suspect is believed to be a direct associate of AQI senior leaders throughout Baghdad and the surrounding terrorist networks. In addition to the wanted individual, Coalition forces detained one suspect on site without incident. In the western region of the city, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists to include an alleged weapons facilitator who specializes in transporting improvised explosive device and car-bomb supplies in northern Iraq. Reports indicate the individual is associated with another suspected car-bomb facilitator, who was detained by Coalition forces Feb. 15 (see MNF-I press release A080215a, "Coalition targets suicide bombing cell, IED network; three killed, 10 detained," dated Feb. 15, 2008). An additional seven suspects were detained during operations in Baqouba and southwest of Samarra targeting associates of the AQI suicide network operating in the region, and an associate of the AQI leader for the Jazirah area. "Iraqi and Coalition forces are on the offensive against al-Qaeda in Iraq," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "We're finding the places they hide and disrupting the supply of weapons they use for vicious attacks against innocent Iraqis." |
| Posted by:Fred |