RELEASE NUMBER: 071007-01
DATE POSTED: OCTOBER 7, 2007

Iraqi Forces, U.S. Special Operations Forces dismantle terrorist cells, kill one insurgent

BALAD (Courtesy of CJSOTF AP PAO, Oct. 7, 2007) – During three separate operations Oct. 7, Iraqi Security Forces, with U.S. Special Operations Forces as advisers, detained 14 suspected terrorists and killed one insurgent throughout Iraq.

Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained a key al Qaeda in Iraq cell leader, a second cousin to the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, during an intelligence driven raid in northern Mosul.

The suspected cell leader is believed to be heavily involved with transporting money and equipment from Syria to terrorist cells in the Mosul area.  He is also believed to be involved with sniper attacks as well as improvised explosive device and vehicle-borne IED attacks against Coalition Forces and Iraqi Police.  He is directly linked to a VBIED attack Sept. 28 that resulted in a destroyed bridge overpass. 

The assault force detained two suspected cell members and seized an AK-47 assault rifle with associated ammunition, a safe, passports, ledgers, blank identification cards, video tapes and a computer.

In the Wasit Province, Iraqi Security Forces detained ten suspected terrorists and killed one insurgent during a targeted raid for a terrorist cell believed to be linked to multiple IED attacks, as well as explosively formed projectile and direct fire attacks against Coalition Forces in the Zubadiyah area. 

The group is allegedly responsible for an Aug. 23 EFP attack on an Iraqi and U.S. Special Forces patrol that killed two Soldiers and wounded three more.  Additionally, intelligence reports indicate that the terrorists have been meeting with members of the al-Qaeda in Iraq criminal network to plan future attacks.
 
During the operation, one insurgent was killed by close air support fire as he was attempting to ambush the assault force.

Near Fallujah, Iraqi Army Scouts detained a leader of an al Qaeda in Iraq affiliated IED cell during an early morning raid in the village of Nasser Wa Salaam.

The targeted individual is allegedly responsible for the manufacturing of IEDs and VBIEDs as part of his insurgent cell.  He is also thought to be responsible for attacking Iraqi Army personnel and a recent attempted abduction of a local national interpreter. 

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