Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Friday, 04 July 2008
MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
Press Release A080704a-241
July 4, 2008

Iraqis are safer after Al-Qaeda foreign terrorists networks thwarted

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces targeted the al-Qaeda foreign terrorist facilitation network across central and northern Iraq Friday, killing two terrorists and detaining 10 suspects.

Coalition forces killed the two terrorists and detained four suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq’s web of foreign terrorist facilitators. When the force arrived, they saw an armed man inside the target building. Perceiving hostile intent, Coalition forces engaged and killed the terrorist. As they moved inside, another terrorist attempted to retrieve a weapon and barricade himself in a room. Coalition forces responded to the hostile threat by engaging and killing the terrorist. The two terrorists were identified as known accomplices of senior AQI leaders who bring foreign terrorists into the country. One additional suspect was detained in the operation, and Coalition forces discovered weapons and numerous passports on site.

An alleged foreign terrorist facilitator in at-Tamim province is in custody after an operation near Tuz Khurmatu, about 65 kilometers south of Kirkuk. The man was identified by his associate who told Coalition forces the wanted man participated in terrorist activities. He is suspected of conducting car bombings, kidnappings, executions and attacks against Coalition forces. Three additional suspects were also detained.

In Mosul, Coalition forces targeted a man believed to move foreign terrorists from border areas into Mosul to carry out suicide car bombings. The operation netted two suspected terrorists. In Bi’aj, about 130 kilometers southwest of Mosul, Coalition forces detained one suspect who allegedly aids foreign terrorists coming into the area.

Also in Mosul, Coalition forces captured a wanted man and one additional suspected terrorist. The wanted man is assessed to be a mid-level coordinator for AQI, responsible for manufacturing car bombs.