Pat Dollard

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Monday, 23 June 2008
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq

Press Release A080624a-069
June 24, 2008

Coalition forces capture four SG criminals, destroy VBIED

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured four suspected Special Groups criminals during a raid in southeast Baghdad Tuesday.

Acting on intelligence information, Coalition forces targeted a suspected Iranian-trained Special Groups commander in the Karadah district of Baghdad. According to information provided by suspected Special Groups criminals already detained, the suspected outlaw has facilitated numerous attacks on Coalition bases. These attacks included several early May rocket attacks on the Green Zone that injured several Iraqi civilians and security force members.

During their search of the suspected criminal’s hide out, Coalition forces discovered a vehicle being prepared for use as a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. In order to prevent criminals from using the weapon in the future, Coalition forces moved the vehicle away and destroyed it.

“Coalition forces are removing illegal weapons used to inflict terror and destruction against the Iraqi people,” said U.S. Army Capt. Charles Calio, MNF-I spokesperson.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080622-02
June 22, 2008

MND-B Soldiers detain suspected Special Groups criminal
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained a suspected Special Groups criminal at approximately 4:30 a.m. June 21 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, detained the highly sought after criminal during a targeted operation in the Bayaa community.
“Putting criminals behind bars keeps everyone safer,” said Maj. Dave Olson, spokesman for 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “The 1st Brigade Soldiers work hard every day and night to protect the law-abiding citizens of Rashid.”

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Press Release A080621a-068
June 21, 2008

Special Groups criminals around Iraq disrupted

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces captured five suspected Special Groups outlaws during operations in Baghdad and near Hillah Friday and Saturday.

Acting on intelligence information, Coalition forces conducted a raid on the suspected residence of a Special Groups leader and recruiter east of Hillah, about 180 km south of Baghdad. The man was wanted for running Special Groups recruiting efforts, as well as ordering assassinations and directing the specialized training of Special Groups criminals.

Coalition also captured an associate of the targeted individual.

During a separate operation in northeast Baghdad, Coalition forces conducted a raid on the residence of a suspected senior Iranian-trained Special Groups commander in Adhamiyah. Intelligence provided by Special Groups criminals already in custody indicated that the suspect ran all Special Groups criminal activities in southeastern Baghdad.

The targeted criminal’s reported close ties and connections to Iranian intelligence agents, along with his weapons and finance facilitations make him a key capture for Coalition forces.

Coalition forces also captured two associates of the targeted individual.

“Coalition forces’ operations over the last 24 hours have helped to degrade the Special Groups’ ability to terrorize and kill innocent Iraqis,” said U.S. Army Capt. Charles Calio, MNF-I spokesperson.

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