Coalition Targets Weapons and Foreign Terrorist Facilitators; Eight Detained

Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists today February 5, 2008 during operations to targeting weapons caches and foreign terrorist facilitators in an effort to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq. Eight terrorists were captured during the operations:

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces detained eight suspected terrorists today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in northern Iraq.

During an operation in Ad Dawr, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq weapons facilitator. The suspect reportedly sells artillery rounds and improvised explosive devices in the Ad Dawr and Tikrit area. He is also believed to be associated with the alleged former leader of the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in the city who was detained Jan. 26. During the course of operations the suspect was injured, treated on site and subsequently detained.

In Tikrit, Coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq member also involved in the facilitation of weapons and terrorists, terrorist financing, and coordinating attacks against Concerned Local Citizen groups and Coalition forces. Reports indicate the suspect is associated with an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader for the Salah ad Din network, and a Moroccan foreign terrorist facilitator who was killed during an operation in September. The ground force detained one suspected terrorist in addition to the wanted individual.

Coalition forces continued to degrade the weapons facilitation network in Tikrit, capturing another alleged facilitator and two additional suspects in the city. The wanted individual is reportedly a member of the Islamic Army and is believed to maintain weapons caches in the area.

During an operation in southwest Mosul, two suspected terrorists were detained, to include a suspected associate of an al-Qaeda in Iraq leader in the city. The alleged terrorist leader is believed to be responsible for a group of foreign terrorists and suicide bombers operating in the area. Reports indicate the group was responsible for the attack that resulted in the death of five Coalition Soldiers Jan. 28.

“We will continue to target al-Qaeda in Iraq networks, disrupting their ability to conduct brutal, indiscriminate attacks,” said Maj. Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman. “Successful operations like these, combined with efforts of Iraqi Security Forces, will erode al-Qaeda‘s resources and their ability terrorize the people of Iraq.”