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http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17462&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080306-02
March 6, 2008

ISWAT, U.S. Special Forces kill 9, detain 8 in Ninewa province

BALAD, Iraq – The Tal Afar Special Weapons and Tactics team, advised by U.S. Special Forces, killed nine criminals and detained eight suspects during an operation to disrupt an al Qaeda in Iraq cell south of Tal Afar in western Ninewa province March 2.

During the intelligence-driven operation against a known criminal support base and suspected training camp, Iraqi SWAT and U.S. SF targeted a cell responsible for assassinations, improvised explosive device attacks, and illegal traffic control points throughout the Tal Afar area. The cell is also suspected of conducting recent rocket attacks in the area against Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

When approaching the camp, several fighters attacked the lead Iraqi SWAT and U.S. SF vehicles with heavy fire from rifles and at least one machine gun. One SWAT vehicle was hit and disabled by a PKC machine gun, killing three Iraqi SWAT members and wounding three others.

ISWAT and U.S. SF continued while under heavy fire from several locations in the camp and adjacent wadi. During this engagement, nine enemy fighters were killed.

Three Iraqi civilians were wounded and treated on-site. Eight suspected cell members were detained for further questioning, including two who were wounded and evacuated to a Coalition Forces hospital for treatment. The three Iraqi SWAT team members were also evacuated for treatment.

The operation discovered 100 meters of electrical wire and 12 blasting caps for constructing IEDs, one PKC machine gun, one RPG-7 rocket launcher, four AK-47 rifles, nine grenades, more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition, and one Belgian-made landmine.

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