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WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2009 – Coalition forces and Afghan commandos killed 38 militants and seized multiple weapons caches today and yesterday during operations to disrupt bomb networks in Afghanistan’s Farah and Laghman provinces. Coalition forces and Afghan commandos today killed six militants during a raid on a compound in Farah province’s Kakhi Safyed district. Among the militants killed were a leader believed to have conducted attacks on Afghan and coalition forces and the alleged chief bodyguard for a high-level Taliban commander. The bodyguard is suspected of providing bombs and bomb-making materials to militant forces in the province’s Bala Baluk district....

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2009 – U.S. soldiers and Iraqi forces detained two suspected criminals and seized several weapons caches in Iraq yesterday and Jan. 5. U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces yesterday arrested two men suspected of attacking coalition forces in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. In other operations yesterday: -- Iraqi and U.S. soldiers discovered roadside bomb-making materials in Baghdad’s Saydiyah neighborhood. Iraqi soldiers transported the materials to their headquarters for disposal. -- U.S. soldiers and Iraqi police seized a weapons cache in Baghdad’s Aamel community consisting of a hand grenade, two explosive batteries, two speakers with speaker wire and...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2009 – U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces nabbed two bombing suspects, as well as nine other suspected terrorists, in operations in Iraq over the past three days. U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces detained two suspected terrorists yesterday at the scene of an explosion in the Masafee community of Baghdad’s Rashid district. The men are suspected of setting off two homemade bombs. No injuries were reported. In other operations yesterday: -- U.S. soldiers and Iraqi security forces seized a “sticky” bomb attached to a car in Baghdad’s Rashid district. The makeshift magnetic bomb was attached to...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4, 2009 – Iraqi and U.S. forces seized two stockpiles of enemy weapons and detained four bombing suspects yesterday, military officials reported. Iraqi and U.S. soldiers conducting combined operations found a weapons cache in Baghdad's Mansour district. The cache included a 130 mm projectile, two 85 mm rockets, an 82 mm mortar, two mortar fuses, six 14.5 mm small-arms projectiles and a rocket-propelled grenade expelling charge. In Baghdad’s Rashid district, Iraqi police and U.S. soldiers arrested four people found with bombing materials. In another operation in the area, U.S. soldiers found 30 anti-tank mines, an AK-47 assault rifle...

A former spokesman for fugitive Taleban leader Mullah Omar has been arrested in north-west Pakistan, officials say. Ustad Yasar was detained in the city of Peshawar after a tip-off, they said, without giving further details. Mr Yasar was arrested in Pakistan in 2005 and handed over to Afghanistan, where he was released in exchange for a kidnapped Italian reporter in 2007. Many Taleban officials fled from Afghanistan to Pakistan after the US-invasion ousted the regime in 2001. Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have been strained in recent years over complaints by Kabul that Islamabad is not doing enough to fight...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2009 – Afghan and coalition forces killed numerous enemy fighters, captured terrorism suspects and repelled two attacks against bases in recent days, military officials reported. Coalition and Afghan forces killed five militants and detained 10 suspects -- including a targeted Haqqani terrorist group militant and a Taliban subcommander -- during multiple operations in Afghanistan’s Khowst and Zabul provinces yesterday. Afghan and coalition forces netted the Haqqani leader during a combined operation in the Sabari district of Khowst province that left five armed militants dead and seven suspects detained. As the combined force approached the targeted man's compound,...

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, under the authority of various warrants, captured 8 suspected criminals and terrorists in central and northern Iraq Dec. 24 and 25. In an operation in central Iraq, Iraqi Special Operations Forces arrested a suspected terrorist in Salman Pak, Iraq, Dec. 25. The detainee is allegedly associated with several terrorist groups and is the leader of a cell that actively conducts improvised-explosive-device attacks against Iraqi Army soldiers and Coalition forces. In a separate operation Dec. 25, Iraqi Army commandos arrested a suspected criminal in Najaf, Iraq. The individual is a suspected leader of a terrorist...

BAGHDAD – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Division Baghdad – Soldiers arrested a suspected terrorist in connection with an explosion Dec. 26 in the Masafee community of Baghdad’s Rashid district. At approximately 4:30 p.m., Iraqi National Police of the 2nd Bn., 7th Bde., 2nd NP Div., with Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, investigated an explosion in an Iraqi neighborhood. Upon arriving at the damaged house, the combined forces found the bomb-maker killed while mixing homemade explosives which prematurely detonated. The NP then detained another suspected...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24, 2008 – Iraqi and U.S. soldiers apprehended suspected criminals and seized weapons caches in operations in Iraq yesterday, military officials reported. The soldiers nabbed five suspected criminals with outstanding warrants during a combined operation in Baghdad’s Rashid district. They also seized 153 AK-47 assault rifles, two submachine guns, two rifles and two pistols in the Saydiyah community. In other operations: -- Iraqi and U.S. soldiers seized and destroyed a weapons cache north of Baghdad that included 99 37 mm high-explosive projectiles, 400 empty rocket tubes and two 155 mm illumination rounds. -- A local resident’s tip led...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 24, 2008 – Afghan army commandos and coalition forces yesterday captured a suspected insurgent commander believed to be responsible for a deadly bombing in Afghanistan’s Baghlan province, military officials reported today. The combined forces nabbed Mullah Dahoud during an early morning raid on a compound in Pol-e-Kohmri, outside of Kabul, reported to be Dahoud’s home and a transit point for insurgent fighters. Dahoud and his insurgent fighters are believed to be responsible for an attack on the Baghlan district headquarters in October that killed Afghan officials and civilians, and for the Fobrica sugar factory bombing in 2007 that...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2008 – Iraqi and coalition forces in Baghdad yesterday captured a man suspected in a grenade attack against a “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group, military officials said. U.S. soldiers responded with Iraqi National Police to the homemade-grenade attack against a Sons of Iraq combat outpost in Baghdad’s Rashid district last night. The soldiers detained one suspect. In other operations in Iraq: -- An Iraqi police emergency response battalion discovered about 150 pounds of homemade explosives early today in the Wahda neighborhood of Mosul and removed them from the neighborhood. -- Coalition and Iraqi forces seized multiple...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi security forces detained six terrorist suspects in operations in recent days, military officials said. Iraqi forces working with coalition troops detained a suspected terrorist Dec. 20 in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. The man was wanted for bomb attacks in the area. Iraqi national police and the “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group worked with soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division’s 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, in capturing the suspect. They also found a rocket-propelled grenade with wires attached as a makeshift bomb in the Aamel community. The Iraqis transported the munitions to...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2008 – Coalition forces apprehended a suspected Iranian intelligence agent and an alleged associate, as well as 10 other terrorism suspects, in operations in Iraq over the last two days, military officials reported. Acting on intelligence information, coalition forces in Qastin, north of Baghdad, targeted an alleged commander of Iranian special operations in Iraq who also is believed to be involved in facilitating training of Iraqi militants at camps operated by Iran’s Republican Guard Corps’ Quds Force. Coalition forces approached the wanted man’s residence, where he identified himself to forces. He then led forces to an associate...

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 18, 2008 – Afghan National Army commandos, assisted by coalition forces, detained an insurgent leader and two other militants in eastern Afghanistan yesterday, military officials reported. The commandos, acting on credible information, conducted a raid on a compound in the Behsood district of Nangarhar province that served as a transit point for various insurgent groups. During a search, the commandos detained three militants -- Abdul Wahid, Raz Gul and a man known only as Haider. All three identified themselves during questioning. Wahid is believed to be responsible for numerous attacks against Afghan and coalition forces and facilitating...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 18, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces killed three enemy fighters and captured 24 suspected terrorists during operations in Iraq in the past three days, military officials reported. In operations today: -- Coalition forces in Baghdad captured a wanted man and two of his associates, all of whom are believed to support the terrorist group in Anbar province. The man identified himself to forces during the operation. -- Southeast of Mosul, coalition forces captured a man wanted for bringing foreign terrorists into the country, and also detained two other suspects. -- Two suspects were detained during an operation...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces killed three insurgents and captured 31 others, including a key Iranian-backed suspect, in operations in Iraq today and yesterday, military officials reported. Coalition and Iraqi forces wrapped up two days of coordinated operations early today that resulted in the capture of 24 suspected terrorists in central Iraq. Early today, forces near Haditha, northwest of Baghdad, detained eight suspects during an operation targeting terrorist leaders in Anbar province, and two additional suspects believed to be associated with Anbar province al-Qaida in Iraq leaders were captured in Baghdad. During a separate operation today...

KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 16, 2008 – Afghan army commandos assisted by coalition forces detained two Taliban commanders and an additional suspect during a security patrol yesterday in Jalalabad City in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, military officials reported. Abdul Rahman is a Taliban commander suspected of carrying out homemade bomb attacks in the Korengal Valley, Konar province. He is linked to more than 50 attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. Rahman's nephew, Ishmail, also was detained and is linked to insurgent activities in the Korengal Valley. Abdul Aziz is a well-known insurgent in the Konar province and has conducted numerous attacks...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2008 – U.S. soldiers detained five suspected terrorists in separate operations in Baghdad’s Rashid district in recent days, military officials reported. In the first operation, soldiers detained three criminal suspects in the Abu Tshir community Dec. 12. On Dec. 13, U.S. soldiers, working with Iraqi National Police, detained a man in the Risalah community who is wanted for several murders. The soldiers also confiscated an AK-47 assault rifle, a pistol, ammunition, propaganda, multiple identification cards and passports. Yesterday, U.S. soldiers detained a man in the Aamel community who is suspected of weapons trafficking and of indirect-fire and...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan forces killed at least two enemy fighters, detained 32 suspects and seized weapons in Afghanistan during operations last week, military officials said. Coalition forces killed one militant and detained sixteen suspected militants during operations targeting a group known as Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, or HIG, and Taliban commanders in Kabul and Zabul provinces Dec. 12. In Surobi District, some 30 km northeast of Kabul, coalition forces detained eight suspected militants, including a HIG commander, known for trafficking weapons and explosives into the Afghan capital and conducting attacks against civilians and security personnel. Troops also...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces detained eight suspected terrorists and seized weapons in Iraq over the past three days, military officials said. During operations in Iraq yesterday: -- Sons of Iraq and Iraqi national police turned over munitions to Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers in the Kadamiyah and Sadr City sections of Baghdad. The two caches contained an automatic rifle and ammunition, bomb-making materials and mortars. -- Iraqi national police and Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers found weapons caches in the East Rashid district, in New Baghdad and elsewhere in the Iraqi capital. The stockpiles contained mortars, bomb-making...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12, 2008 – Eleven suspected terrorists, including two wanted men, were removed from al-Qaida in Iraq networks yesterday and today as coalition forces targeted the terrorist organization in central Iraq, military officials reported. In other recent operations, Iraqi soldiers foiled a bombing attack on an Iraqi judge, and coalition and Iraqi troops discovered enemy weapons stockpiles. Early today in Hafriyah, southeast of Kirkuk in Iraq’s Diyala province, forces captured an alleged weapons smuggler who also is believed to be associated with bombing attacks in the area. Three suspected associates also were detained. Two more suspects were netted today...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2008 – Coalition soldiers and Iraqi security forces captured suspected criminals and terrorists, disarmed a roadside bomb and found enemy weapons stockpiles in recent operations, military officials reported. In operations today: -- Iraqi National Police and U.S. infantry soldiers detained a man officials described as a suspected criminal leader. -- Al-Qaida in Iraq leadership was the target of an operation in Baghdad that resulted in a wanted man’s capture. The suspected terrorist, who surrendered himself to coalition forces, is believed to be associated with al-Qaida in Iraq leadership. During a concurrent operation near Ramadi, west of Baghdad,...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2008 – Coalition forces killed an armed attacker and detained 18 suspected terrorists while targeting al-Qaida in Iraq leadership and bombing networks in Iraq today and yesterday. South of Baghdad, coalition forces today targeted a suspected bomb facilitator who reportedly was in a Salman Pak residence. When they called for the building’s occupants to surrender, a man at first complied, but then went back inside the house and attempted to engage forces with an AK-47 assault rifle. Forces fired on the armed man, killing him. The man later was identified as the wanted terrorist. Forces also detained...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 21 suspected terrorists during operations targeting terrorist networks throughout Iraq. In Ramadi, west of Baghdad, coalition and Iraqi forces today captured a wanted man who reportedly is linked to leaders in a Baghdad-based terrorist network. Another suspect also was detained. Also today, coalition forces detained two suspects while targeting Mosul-based al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in Ash Shurah, south of Mosul. In Beiji, south of Mosul, coalition forces today captured a wanted man and an associate believed to have ties to al-Qaida in Iraq in Anbar. Elsewhere, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2008 – Afghan and coalition forces killed two militants yesterday in the Nar Surkh district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, military officials reported. Militants using an illegal checkpoint attacked the combined forces with small-arms fire. Forces responded with small-arms and heavy-weapons fire, killing two militants. “The Afghan national security forces continue to take charge and provide security to the Afghan people in Helmand province,” Army Col. Jerry O’Hara, a U.S. Forces Afghanistan spokesman, said. “The ANSF are leading from the front and defending their country against those who rule by intimidation, hide among women and throw acid at...

BAGHDAD — Coalition forces detained 21 suspected terrorists, four of whom were wanted men, during operations targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) networks around the country Saturday and Sunday. Coalition forces further degraded AQI in the Tigris River Valley on Thursday, detaining seven suspects in Bayji, about 160 km south of Mosul. Further north, forces detained one suspect during an operation targeting an improvised explosive device facilitator in Sharqat, 160 km south of Mosul. Coalition forces partnered with Iraqi forces Sunday in Jaykanah, 100 km northeast of Baghdad, where they captured an alleged courier believed to have ties to AQI leaders...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2008 – Coalition forces apprehended three alleged Kataib Hezbollah terrorists in two operations early today in Baghdad's Rusafa district, military officials reported. Kataib Hezbollah is believed to be a surrogate group operating in Iraq on behalf of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, coalition officials said. During the first operation, coalition forces acted on intelligence information to captured three suspected Kataib Hezbollah members believed to be responsible for recent attacks against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi and coalition forces. In a separate operation in Rusafa today, forces targeted a suspected militant believed to be responsible for collecting...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2008 – Coalition forces in Iraq apprehended an alleged key member of the Kataib Hezbollah network and two other suspects during an operation early today in Baghdad's Adhamiyah district. Officials believe Kataib Hezbollah is a surrogate group for the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Acting on intelligence information, coalition forces targeted an alleged Kataib Hezbollah bombing cell leader believed to be responsible for recent attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces and Iraqi citizens. Coalition forces approached a residence in search of the suspected terrorist. The wanted man identified himself to forces, and was apprehended without incident,...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 2008 – Operations to disrupt the Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin terrorist network in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province yesterday targeted a network commander known to facilitate the movement of weapons and foreign fighters into the area. During the operation, three militants armed with AK-47 assault rifles and other military equipment attempted to engage the force. Coalition forces responded with small-arms fire, killing them. A search of the compound revealed multiple AK-47s, pistols, hand grenades, and other military equipment, which were destroyed to prevent future use. Four other suspected militants also were detained during the operation. In other operations in Afghanistan, coalition...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2008 – Operations across Iraq over the past two days left one terrorist dead, brought in five wanted men and resulted in the detention of 18 additional suspects, military officials reported. In Bazzunah, northwest of Mosul, coalition forces approached a house today where a suspected suicide bomber was believed to be. When they called for the occupants to surrender, a man came out of an adjacent building and appeared to have what could have been a suicide belt under his clothing, officials said. He failed to comply with the assault force's multiple instructions to surrender, so the...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2008 – With help from coalition troops, Afghan security forces killed two militants and detained two others today in the Shindand district of western Afghanistan’s Herat province, military officials said. During the early morning raid, Afghan army commandos targeted a safe house used by a suspected roadside-bomb cell operating in the Zer-e-koh Valley. The safe house served as a storage facility for weapons, munitions and assembled bombs. Militants engaged the commandos from multiple positions, and the Afghan soldiers responded with precision fire, killing two militants. The commandos detained two other militants and recovered Taliban-related documents, AK-47 assault...

BAGHDAD — Iraqi National Police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained a suspected Special Groups criminal during an operation Dec. 3 in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. Policemen from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd NP Division and Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, , detained the man, suspected of murder and distributing propaganda, at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the Aamel community. “We continue to conduct combined operations with the Iraqi Security Forces to keep the pressure on the criminals and to provide a safe and secure environment for the...

BAGHDAD –Iraqi National Police and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers detained a suspected Special Groups criminal during an operation Dec. 3 in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. Policemen from the 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd NP Division and Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, , detained the man, suspected of murder and distributing propaganda, at approximately 5:30 p.m. in the Aamel community. “We continue to conduct combined operations with the Iraqi Security Forces to keep the pressure on the criminals and to provide a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces have captured 13 people in three days of operations targeting terrorist networks in Iraq, military officials reported. Al-Qaida in Iraq leadership cells in Baghdad were the target of two operations today. The first operation, in the city’s Rashid neighborhood, netted a wanted man believed to be associated with regional terrorist leaders. Later today, in the Mansour neighborhood, troops captured another suspected terrorist and an additional suspect. The targeted man is believed to be a terrorist leader in the city. Reports suggest he is responsible for multiple grenade attacks in Baghdad. In...

BALAD, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces, with Coalition force advisors, captured two suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq cell members and a Jaysh al-Mahdi Special Groups cell leader during separate operations in Iraq Nov. 29. Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics conducted an operation capturing a JAM-SG cell leader. The individual is believed to be the leader of the A- Imam JAM-SG cell operating throughout the Babil province. The cell is allegedly responsible for conducting numerous attacks against Coalition force bases as well as improvised explosive device attacks on CF convoys. In Balad, elements from the 4th Iraqi Army captured two Ansar al-Sunna...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces captured suspected terrorists during separate operations in northern provinces in recent days, including two men believed to have helped inmates escape from Badush Prison in 2006, military officials reported. Iraqi security forces, with coalition advisors, captured two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq cell members and a suspected illegal militia cell leader during separate operations Nov. 29. In Balad, Iraqi forces captured two suspected members of a Sunni extremist group, one of whom officials said is believed to be a regional commander whose cell conducts attacks against coalition troops. In Bulayj on Nov....

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2008 – U.S. soldiers detained three suspected criminals and seized an explosive projectile, while a joint U.S.-Iraqi police operation found a weapons cache containing automatic rifles during operations conducted across Baghdad yesterday, military officials said. The three detainees were captured during a U.S. operation in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district. A joint U.S.-Iraqi police operation conducted in Baghdad’s East Rashid district yielded 13 AK-47 automatic rifles and a sniper rifle. Later, U.S. soldiers patrolling northern Baghdad discovered another weapons cache containing a 130 mm projectile. In Nov. 28 operations: U.S. soldiers detained a known Special Groups criminal wanted...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2008 – A coalition-forces vehicle and a van carrying Afghan civilians were involved in a traffic accident on Highway 1 in the capital city of Kabul today, military officials said. Both vehicles were traveling east when the van attempted to move into the left lane of traffic where it struck the side of the coalition vehicle, according to a U.S. military news release. The coalition vehicle’s driver was unable to swerve to avoid the van, the release said, because of a median separating the east-bound and west-bound lanes of traffic. The Afghan van skidded off the highway...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28, 2008 – U.S. soldiers detained four suspected criminals yesterday during Thanksgiving Day operations in southern Baghdad’s Rashid district, military officials said. Some of the detainees allegedly conducted attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces while others are suspected of weapons-trafficking activities. "Our soldiers continue to support our Iraqi security forces partners as we assist them in providing a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people,” said Army Maj. Dave Olson, spokesman for the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team. In Nov. 26 operations: Eighteen women in northern Iraq who were associated with al-Qaida in Iraq suicide...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2008 – Coalition forces captured 14 suspected terrorists today during operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist networks, military officials said. Forces captured two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq terrorists today near Haditha, northwest of Baghdad. The men, based in Beiji, are believed to have ties to bombing networks, officials said. Forces also detained four other suspects. Elsewhere, forces captured a wanted man and an associate in Tuz Khurmatu, southeast of Kirkuk. The man is suspected of being an al-Qaida in Iraq administrative operative and explosives facilitator with ties to al-Qaida operatives outside of Iraq. Also today, forces netted...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 26, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan forces killed 32 militants and captured 10 suspected militants today and yesterday during operations to disrupt terrorist networks in Afghanistan, military officials said. Coalition forces were fired on today while clearing a compound believed to be a command and control center for roadside bombs in Kandahar province. Forces returned fire, killing 15 insurgents and detaining six. Also today, militants fired on coalition and Afghan forces with machine-gun and rocket-propelled grenade fire in Helmand province. The forces returned fire, killing seven militants. During the operation, forces protected more than 300 local villagers from...

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 25, 2008 – Coalition forces killed six armed militants and captured 12 suspected militants yesterday during operations to disrupt terrorist networks in Afghanistan’s Kapisa and Paktika provinces. In Kapisa province, coalition forces targeted a man suspected of being a commander in Hizb-e-Islami Gulbuddin, a group coalition forces in Afghanistan consider to be a terrorist organization. The man is suspected of trafficking large-scale weapons used for attacks in the region and coordinating recent attacks on coalition and Afghan forces and civilians. During the operation, militants attacked coalition forces with small-arms fire. Coalition forces responded, killing five of the...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2008 – Coalition forces killed two terrorists and captured nine additional suspects today and yesterday during operations targeting terrorist networks in Iraq. Coalition forces killed two terrorists while striking an al-Qaida in Iraq foreign terrorist network yesterday southwest of Mosul. When coalition forces approached a vehicle with a suspected terrorist inside, two men got out and attacked the soldiers with small-arms fire. Coalition forces returned fire, killing the men. One of the attackers was later determined to be a wanted man. In the vehicle, coalition forces found multiple rifles, three rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 12 grenades and a...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 24, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces captured a suspected terrorist and seized two weapons caches in Iraq over the past four days, military officials said. Troops captured a terror suspect during an Iraqi security forces-led raid in Mosul on Nov. 22. “Terrorists are feeling the pressure of the [Iraqi security forces], and they are running out of places to hide in and around Mosul,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gary Dangerfield, a coalition spokesman. Elsewhere, a resident’s tip Nov. 20 led Iraqi troops to a weapons cache buried by the side of a road in Baghdad’s Sadr City...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2008 – Coalition and Afghan forces killed 19 armed militants, detained 11 suspects and destroyed weapons in Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported. Combined forces killed 17 insurgents during an air assault operation in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province yesterday. The combined force aimed the assault at a known insurgent safe haven to interdict enemy supplies and fighters. Insurgents in multiple locations fired on forces with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Troops returned fire, killing 17 militants. Forces also discovered and destroyed several small weapons caches on site. The stockpiles contained ammunition and...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23, 2008 – Coalition and Iraqi forces detained 42 suspected terrorists and seized weapons caches across Iraq over the past three days, military officials said. In two separate operations in Baghdad today, troops captured eight suspected members of an insurgent network. Military officials said the network, known as Asaib Ahl al-Haq, engages in roadside bombings, kidnappings and sectarian killings. During the first operation, coalition forces caught three suspected insurgents without incident in the Adhamiyah district. Troops detained five other alleged Asaib Ahl al-Haq members in New Baghdad. Also in Baghdad's Adhamiyah district today, troops apprehended six alleged members...

BAGHDAD — Coalition forces further disrupted terrorist bombing networks throughout Iraq on Friday and Saturday, capturing three wanted men and detaining 13 suspected terrorists. One suspected terrorist assessed to be a Baghdad/Fallujah-area al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) car bomb and improvised explosive device (IED) cell member was captured Friday near Al Yusifiyah, about 35 km southwest of Baghdad. The wanted man, who reports suggest has connections with AQI leaders in the Baghdad area, was detained with three additional men believed to be his associates. Friday near Bayji, about 160 km south of Mosul, forces captured a wanted man believed to plant...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2008 – Coalition forces captured five wanted men and detained 10 additional suspects during operations targeting terrorist networks throughout Iraq yesterday and today, military officials reported. Coalition forces operating in Beiji, south of Mosul, captured a wanted man today who is believed to be a weapons facilitator and financier for a terrorist group associated with al-Qaida. Reports suggest the suspected terrorist, who surrendered himself to forces during the operation, has connections to al-Qaida senior leaders, officials said. An additional suspect was detained for questioning. A wanted man believed to be a car-bomb facilitator was captured by coalition...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2008 – Afghan and coalition forces detained a key insurgent leader in an early morning raid in Afghanistan’s Khowst province yesterday. Hakim Jan is responsible for the deaths of Afghan security force members and roadside-bomb attacks on coalition forces, officials said. In other news from Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces detained a suspected militant during a combined operation targeting the Haqqani terrorist network in Khowst. The combined force searched a compound, targeting a militant known to be in direct contact with senior Haqqani leaders who finance and facilitate terrorist activities in the region, officials said. The search...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2008 – Iraqi security forces arrested a local government official in Iraq’s Diyala province yesterday, one of 11 suspects captured this week in ongoing efforts to break up terrorist cells throughout the country, military officials reported. The government official, whose name was not released, is accused of using his position to deny government funding intended to support residents of eastern Diyala, and providing logistical and financial support to criminal groups in the area. The man is named on a terrorist watch list and has facilitated explosives training of militants in Iran, officials said. The suspect's case will...