BALAD, Iraq -- Since the beginning of July, three highly sought after suspected terrorists have surrendered to Iraqi Security and Coalition forces. An emir of the Sinjar area Islamic State of Iraq, a front organization for al-Qaeda in Iraq, surrendered to the Iraqi Army for reconciliation in Kisik July 5, about 43 km west of Mosul. The suspect is reportedly involved in terrorist and foreign fighter facilitation and a leader of rocket and improvised explosive device cells.
In Rutbah, a suspected AQI emir of the Rutbah region turned himself in to Coalition forces. The suspect is known to facilitate foreign fighters, weapons and narcotics. He is said to be well-connected to AQI networks in various regions and finances criminal groups coming into Iraq. He is also associated with another AQI emir in the area reportedly responsible for executing members of the Iraqi government and Iraqi Security Forces, smuggling, hijacking, and carjacking.
A suspected terrorist cell leader surrendered to U.S. Special Forces July 19 in Sinjar, approximately 114 km west of Mosul, following an operation to detain him at his home two days prior. The suspect is reportedly an immediate subordinate to the ISI emir who turned himself in July 5 and related to a Syrian-based financier for ISI and AQI.