May 29, 2007

Secret Cell Terrorist Detained in Sadr City

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist during multiple raids targeting secret cell terrorist leaders in Sadr City Sunday. Intelligence reports directed Iraqi and Coalition Forces to a residencewhere they detained an individual who is believed to have ties to a secret cell terrorist network. The network is known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.

Iraqi and Coalition Forces and Iraqi Police also searched for a suspected terrorist who was believed to have been injured in an operation May 25. Relatives of the targeted individual told Iraqi and Coalition Forces the man was at Jumla al-Hassabiyah Hospital in Baghdad, but the ground forces did not find him there. No civilians were detained or injured, and the hospital was not damaged.

Before dawn, Iraqi and Coalition Forces conducted an operation targeting a suspected weapons facilitator working for the secret cell terrorist network. During the operation, a vehicle approached Iraqi and Coalition Forces. Ground forces tried to get the driver to stop by using visual and audible signals, but when the vehicle showed hostile intent bycontinuing to approach them, a supporting Coalition Forces vehicle engaged it with automatic weapons. No civilians were injured but the vehicle ignited when a civilian returned to the vehicle and attempted to start the engine. Local fire emergency crews quickly responded and contained the fire.

"We will continue to target secret cell terrorists and their roguemilitia elements so Iraqis can live without the constant fear of their brutal attacks," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson.

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