Coalition forces destroyed a terrorist facility today, and in an operation yesterday, U.S. soldiers detained a suspected terrorist, Multinational Force Iraq officials reported today.In a joint effort, coalition forces conducted a precision air strike against a known terrorist facility in southern Baghdad today, using four U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles, officials said.
Terrorists were using a former Iraqi regime munitions storage bunker in a large, uninhabited weapons-storage complex in the Babil province to acquire and transport bomb-making munitions to be used in attacks.
The aircraft conducted a clearing pass while Multinational Division Baghdad helicopters scanned for any civilians in the area in a deliberate effort to ensure no collateral damage. The sorties made multiple passes to ensure the complete destruction of the bunker.
In Tikrit yesterday, soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, captured a man after watching him plant a roadside bomb. The man was crouching over an existing bomb crater, and upon seeing the soldiers he fled the scene.
The soldiers pursued the man after firing on him. As the troops were beginning their pursuit, the bomb detonated, with no effect to the soldiers.
Though the soldiers were unable to locate the man, battalion headquarters contacted the joint coordination center and learned a man walked into a local hospital with a gunshot wound. The man was questioned at the hospital and was given an explosive residue test. After a positive residue test, the man was treated for his injuries and detained for further questioning.