Coalition Forces Kill 14 terrorists and Detain 17 Suspects in Saturday Operations

Operations targeted senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and their facilitation networks in central and northern Iraq.

September 16, 2007

WASHINGTON DC NEWS -- Iraqi and Coalition forces killed 14 terrorists and detained 17 suspects during operations Saturday targeting senior leaders of al-Qaeda in Iraq and their facilitation networks in central and northern Iraq.

Iraqi and Coalition forces targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq senior leaders during two operations in Tamim and Diyala provinces. As the assault force moved toward a target north of Bayji, surveillance elements observed several enemy elements moving into tactical position against the friendly forces. Iraqi and Coalition forces, responding to the hostile threat, called for close air support, which engaged and killed nine terrorists. Iraqi and Coalition forces detained one suspected terrorist during the operation.

In another raid, targeting senior al-Qaeda in Iraq leaders north of Muqdadiyah, four armed terrorists engaged Coalition forces with small arms fire and grenades when the ground forces approached the target building. Responding in self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire and killed them. The ground forces detained two suspected terrorists and called in an air strike to destroy two buildings used as terrorist safe houses.

Coalition forces captured two wanted individuals and four additional suspected terrorists believed to be part of the facilitation network in Mosul. One individual allegedly facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists and funding for use in al-Qaeda in Iraq operations. The other wanted individual is believed to be a cell leader who coordinates the distribution of mortars and improvised explosive devices for the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in northern Iraq. During the operation, two armed terrorists engaged the assault force with small arms fire and Coalition forces responded in self-defense, killing one terrorist and wounding another. Coalition forces treated the injured suspect on scene and transported him to a military medical facility.

Coalition forces also disrupted the foreign terrorist network in the southern belts around Baghdad when they captured six suspected associates of the network's leaders west of the city. Two other operations around Baghdad netted two suspected terrorists. One of the suspects was wanted for his involvement in al-Qaeda in Iraq's operations in the city's car bombing network.

Elsewhere, U.S. troops looked for insurgent activity during night time missions.

Click Here to watch DoD video released of one such mission by Falcon Fury VII.

Scenes in this video include our Soldiers conducting searches using night vision equipment. Video production is by Specialist Adam Prickel.