Coalition forces Kill Six Terrorists, detained 21 Including Senior Leadership

Synchronized raids targeted the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the northern belt around Baghdad

September 10, 2007

WASHINGTON DC NEWS -- Several synchronized raids in Tarmiyah targeted the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in the northern belt around Baghdad, including its senior leadership. Coalition forces killed six terrorists and detained 21 suspects this weekend during operations in the Tarmiyah area and Tigris River Valley. The now disrupted al-Qaeda network was responsible for car bombings, kidnaping, publishing extremist propaganda and operating an illegal court system in the area.

During the successful operations, Coalition forces engaged three terrorists while clearing a building. The three men were inside a room when the assault force entered. Attempted to reach for weapons during the assault force entrance, the assault force responded to the threat by killing the three armed terrorists.

In a separate coordinated raid, Coalition forces entered another target building and engaged an armed man who attempted to draw his weapon. Responded to the threat, the assault force engaged the armed man, killing him.

In another coordinated raid, one female refused to comply with the interpreter's instructions. After the ground forces made several attempts to get the woman to comply, she lunged to reach behind some furniture. Coalition forces, perceiving the act as a hostile threat to their safety, engaged the woman, killing her.

Meanwhile, other Coalition forces were securing another target building nearby found an armed man hiding in a closet. When he was discovered, the armed man fired on the assault force, which returned fire in self-defense and killing the terrorist. On the scene, Coalition forces found a cache of weapons, including 25 mortar rounds, 30 high-explosive rounds, 5,000 anti-aircraft rounds and other ammunition. They also discovered four improvised explosive devices planted in the immediate area. A Coalition forces explosives team safely destroyed the IEDs, weapons and ammunition. Nearby, the Coalition forces discovered a cache of extremist propaganda and media production materials.

Over the two-day operation, Coalition forces destroyed seven buildings believed to be used for terrorist activities. The ground forces thoroughly cleared and secured each building prior to any detonation to ensure no civilians were inside. One building was destroyed during an air strike, while the other six were destroyed with ground munitions. Coalition forces detained 17 suspected terrorists during the operations in Tarmiyah.

Coalition forces extended their operations to the north while targeting advisers of al-Qaeda in Iraq's senior leaders who had fled to an area south of Mosul. The ground Coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists during the operation there.

In Mosul, Coalition forces captured a suspected member of the Kirkuk car-bombing network during a raid. In another raid east of Balad, Coalition forces used information from an August 8, operation to target an al-Qaeda in Iraq operative who facilitates the movement of foreign terrorists. The assault force detained one suspected terrorist.

Major Winfield Danielson, MNF-I spokesman, commenting on the raids said, "We're continuing to conduct precision operations to destroy al-Qaeda's networks and bring their members to justice so they cannot attack the Iraqi people." No Coalition forces were reported injured during the successfully coordinated raids disrupting the al-Qaeda in Iraq network operations throughout the weekend in Tarmiyah and Tigris River Valley.