RELEASE NUMBER: 070712-03
DATE POSTED: JULY 12, 2007

Air strike kills six insurgents; Raid nets four al-Qaeda insurgents

BAGHDAD (Courtesy of CJSOTF-AP, July 12, 2007) – A Coalition Forces air strike killed six insurgents who were observed planting an improvised explosive device along a heavily traveled route in Diwaniyah, July 12.
 
During routine aerial reconnaissance in the Diwaniyah area, Coalition Forces spotted the five individuals emplacing an IED on a route used regularly by Iraqi Security Forces as well as civilian drivers. With the area cleared of civilians, the Coalition Forces conducted the aerial strike with well aimed and proportional force, killing the targeted subjects.
           
Iraqi Security Forces confirmed that the five insurgents died as a result of the blast.
           
In a separate operation, Iraqi Security Forces conducted an early morning raid in Tal Afar detaining three al-Qaeda cell leaders, July 12.

With U.S. Special Operations Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Security Forces raided a residence in the Sh’War village of northwest Iraq and detained their primary suspects without incident. One other suspicious individual present during the raid was also detained.

The primary targets of this operation are alleged to be responsible for establishing a safe haven for other al-Qaeda members in Tal Afar as well as conducting attacks against Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces and local Iraqi people.

No Iraqi or Coalition Forces were injured during this raid.

--usasoc--