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| Iraq |
| Coalition forces disrupt foreign terrorist, al-Qaeda networks; eight terrorists killed |
| 2007-11-06 |
| Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained 10 suspects Tuesday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda and foreign terrorist networks in central and northern Iraq. Coalition forces targeted a suspected terrorist involved in planning improvised explosive device attacks and facilitating foreign terrorists during operations in Tuz, south of Kirkuk. Reports indicate he was one of the chief planners for the suicide car bombing attacks July 16, killing more than 70 Iraqi people and injuring more than 130 in Kirkuk. Upon arriving to the target area, the ground force saw three individuals evading Coalition forces and maneuvering south. Coalition forces pursued the suspects into a tunnel system near a river. A fourth armed man engaged the ground force from a defensive position. Responding in self-defense, the ground force engaged and killed the terrorist with sniper fire. Coalition forces called for supporting aircraft to engage the enemy in the tunnels, killing two terrorists. Later, the assault force safely destroyed the tunnel system with an air strike to prevent further use by terrorists. As the ground force secured the target area, they called for the occupants of a building to come out. A suspected terrorist, who came out with an unknown object above his head, was repeatedly told to drop the object. The individual did not comply and displayed hostile intent toward Coalition forces. Responding in self defense, the ground force engaged with sniper fire, killing the terrorist. Another man dressed in women’s clothing, was apparently attempting to elude Coalition forces, he and another suspect were detained on site. Information gained from previous operations led Coalition forces to an area in Samarra believed to be associated with al-Qaeda in Iraq media activities. Reports also indicate the location has been previously used by a known al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist and foreign terrorists. As ground forces entered the target area, four men, three of whom were armed, did not comply and evasively maneuvered into nearby palm groves. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force engaged the armed men with small arms fire killing four terrorists. Two individuals on site confirmed the terrorists were previously in the Iraqi military, but claimed the men terrorized the neighborhood. As the ground force secured the area, Coalition forces found several weapons and ammunition, and detained two suspects. During another operation, Coalition forces captured one wanted individual in Mosul believed to be an associate of several foreign terrorists and to have a wealth of knowledge of the facilitation network. The ground force detained the wanted individual, along with two other suspects, on site without incident. In Ramadi, Coalition forces captured one wanted individual believed to be a foreign terrorist facilitator. Reports indicate the wanted individual was associated with leaders within the foreign terrorist network. During the operation, the ground force called for the occupants of the target building to come out and they complied. One machine gun was found on site along with multiple identification cards. Two other suspects were detained without incident. “We’ve taken another step toward a peaceful Iraq,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “By disrupting foreign and al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist operations, innocent civilians can go about their lives without worrying about terrorist attacks.” |
| Posted by:Fred |