Excellent News: Coalition Forces Target al Qaeda Networks in Iraq

Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained 11 suspects late Sunday through Tuesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq killing five and capturing 11. The operations resulted in the removal of al-Qaeda foreign terrorist facilitators, a financier, a courier and a propagandist:

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition forces killed five terrorists and detained 11 suspects late Sunday through Tuesday during operations targeting al-Qaeda networks in central and northern Iraq.

Southwest of Baqubah, Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq and foreign terrorist facilitators during a 24-hour operation Sunday and Monday. Coalition forces observed several men maneuvering toward their position and, perceiving hostile intent, called for supporting aircraft to engage the men, killing four terrorists. Coalition partners in the area discovered weapons, including missiles and grenades, ammunition and an improvised explosive device.

Coalition forces conducted operations Monday and Tuesday in Rabiyah and northern Samarra. During the operation northwest of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual while targeting al-Qaeda financial and courier operations. The captured individual is believed to be associated with propaganda operations and senior terrorist leaders. During the operation, Coalition forces saw one individual maneuver into the palm groves. Perceiving hostile intent, the ground force called for supporting aircraft to engage, killing the terrorist. Coalition forces detained three suspects, in addition to the wanted individual.

North of Samarra, Coalition forces captured a wanted individual believed to be a courier for senior al-Qaeda leaders. During the operation, one suspect received minor wounds. He received medical care on site before being detained by Coalition forces. In addition to the wanted individual and the wounded suspect, the ground force detained two suspects without incident.

During the operation in Rabiyah Monday, Coalition forces captured an alleged former al-Qaeda in Iraq leader believed to be a planner of car-bombing attacks in Mosul. Coalition forces detained two other suspects, in addition to the wanted individual.

"These operations exemplify the continued success we're having in operations against terrorist networks," said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. "With the help of Iraqi citizens and their security forces, we will succeed in defeating al-Qaeda in Iraq."

Excellent news indeed!