Iraqi Security and Iraqi Army Forces, with U.S. Special Forces acting as advisers, detained two key al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders and seven other suspected terrorists in two separate operations Aug. 24 in Baghdad and in the ZaÂ’ab Triangle. During an intelligence driven operation in Baghdad, Iraqi Security Forces detained an Amir and an intelligence officer of al Qaeda in Iraq from the Abu Gharaib area. The Amir leads cell members who launch attacks on Coalition and Iraqi Forces with improvised explosive devices.
Reports indicate the suspected intelligence officer collects names of Iraqi Security Forces personnel and targets them for assassination by other cell members. He also conducts surveillance of Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces in the area.
In the second operation, Iraqi Army Forces conducted a successful air assault raid and detained seven suspected members of an al Qaeda in Iraq cell operating in the village of Jarnaf Gharbi in northwest Iraq. These individuals are believed to be responsible for attacks against Iraqi and Coalition Forces along the Tigris River Valley and the ZaÂ’ab Triangle. No Iraqi or U.S. Special Forces members were injured in these operations.