3 Suspected Al-Qaeda Cell Leaders, 9 Others Detained

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
Release A070521c

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces captured three suspected al-Qaeda cell leaders during raids Monday morning in continued operations to thwart terrorist attacks in Iraq.

Coalition Forces raided a building in western Baghdad searching for leaders within the al-Qaeda in Iraq network. The ground force detained three suspected terrorists, one of whom is allegedly a commander of a group that conducts assassinations and vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks in the capital city.

A suspected commander of an IED cell in Mosul and an alleged senior cell leader there were detained during Coalition Forces operations in the area. Intelligence reports also indicate the alleged senior cell leader formerly led a sniper cell.

Acting on information from successful raids on May 15, Coalition Forces targeted an area northeast of Karmah to further disrupt the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader network there. Four individuals with suspected ties to the network were detained in the raid.

Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists south of Fallujah for their alleged involvement with a regional al-Qaeda in Iraq commander.

“Every day, we are hitting al-Qaeda and disrupting their network,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “We will continue this incremental progress against them, using each operation as a stepping stone to the next.”