Coalition forces captured four wanted individuals and detained 11 other suspected terrorists during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks Sunday in central Iraq.Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and seven additional suspects west of Samarra during an operation targeting foreign terrorist facilitation networks. The wanted individual is believed to have ties with several foreign-based al-Qaeda members responsible for the movement of terrorists and funds into the country. Also, one of the suspectÂ’s associates is allegedly attempting to communicate with the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri.
South of the city, Coalition forces detained one suspect while targeting suspected foreign terrorists operating in the region. Intelligence from previous operations indicated the area is known to be a safe haven for numerous foreign terrorists.
In Baqubah, one wanted individual was captured and another suspect was detained during an operation targeting an associate of al-Qaeda in IraqÂ’s media cell leaders. Intelligence led the ground force to the targeted individualÂ’s exact location, where the two individuals were detained without incident.
Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals and one suspected terrorist in Baghdad during coordinated operations targeting associates of al-Qaeda in IraqÂ’s northern belt and media cell networks. One of the targeted individuals is believed to have close ties to the emir of the northern belt network responsible for the majority of car-bombing and improvised explosive device attacks in the area. Reports also indicate the network is involved in extortion, intimidation, weapons trafficking and the facilitation of foreign terrorists.
Also, Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist during an operation in Tarmiyah targeting suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders operating in the city’s terrorist network. “Foreign terrorists who come to Iraq with the help of al-Qaeda are unwelcome,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Iraqi and Coalition forces will continue to attack facilitation networks in order to stop terrorists from interfering with the better future Iraqi citizens are building for themselves.”