8 Teroorsists Killed, 34 Detained in Overnight Raids

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
COMBINED PRESS INFORMATION CENTER
Release A070520a

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces killed eight terrorists and detained 34 suspected terrorists during operations Sunday morning to disrupt the al-Qaeda command network.

Six terrorists were killed northeast of Karmah during continued Coalition operations to disrupt the al-Qaeda senior leader network. As Coalition Forces advanced toward a targeted building, the six terrorists emerged from a nearby vehicle, armed with automatic weapons and military-style assault vests.

Coalition Forces, perceiving a hostile threat from an organized force, engaged the six men with an air strike, killing them. Coalition Forces detained four suspected terrorists within the targeted building for their alleged ties to al-Qaeda senior leaders.

Coalition Forces approached a target southwest of Baghdad and were blocked by two armed men in tactical positions near the objective. Coalition Forces perceived a hostile threat and reacted appropriately, engaging the two terrorists and killing them.

Ground forces proceeded to secure the building and detained 14 individuals suspected of ties to al-Qaeda. At two other locations southeast of Fallujah, Coalition Forces detained 16 individuals suspected of being tied to the same network.

“We’re continuing to target the al-Qaeda network and the terrorists responsible for attacks on Iraqis and the country’s forward progress,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.