Dismantling al-Qaeda in Iraq Piece by Piece

Five terrorists killed, two suspects detained during Coalition operations

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained two suspects Friday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks throughout Iraq.

South of Tarmiyah, Coalition forces conducted an operation targeting associates of an al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the city. Intelligence reports indicate the network is known for car-bombing, improvised explosive device attacks and the facilitation of foreign terrorists. During the operation, surveillance elements observed a group of armed men move from the target building into nearby palm groves. As the ground force approached, the enemy opened fire from their defensive positions. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire and called for supporting aircraft to engage the armed men, killing four terrorists, one of whom was wearing a suicide vest. As the ground force secured the area, they also discovered a small weapons cache which was safely destroyed on-site.

During an operation south of Baqubah, Coalition forces targeted and killed an al-Qaeda in Iraq improvised explosive device cell leader. Reports indicate he led a group of approximately 250 terrorists that emplaced IEDs and conducted attacks against Iraqi and Coalition forces. The terrorist acted as a judge for an illegal terrorist court system in the area. As the ground force cleared the target building, they discovered a woman in a room and directed her to get down. The ground force was then engaged by an armed man and, responding in self-defense, they returned fire and killed the terrorist, who was the targeted individual. The woman was not harmed during the engagement and one suspect was detained.

Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist north of Bayj during an operation to further disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq. Intelligence gained from a previous operation led the ground force to the target area. During that operation, Coalition forces captured an individual allegedly involved in the facilitation of foreign terrorists, false documentation and terrorist funds, and who is believed to have ties to Syrian-based extremists attempting to communicate with the al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leader Abu Ayyub al-Masri.

“Our operations are dismantling al-Qaeda in Iraq piece by piece,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “We will continue to take the fight to these terrorists so Iraqis can live in a safe and stable environment.”

(SOURCE)