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http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17521&Itemid=21

Press Release A080309a
March 9, 2008

Al-Qaeda targeted, weapons caches destroyed; five killed, 26 detained

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces killed five terrorists, detained 26 suspects and found several weapons caches Saturday and today during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central and northern Iraq.

Coalition forces conducted an operation northwest of Samarra today, targeting an alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq leader involved in propaganda operations for the network in al-Anbar province. The suspect is believed to be associated with several AQI leaders, including foreign terrorists operating outside of Iraq.

As Coalition forces arrived in the area, they received enemy fire from four individuals they observed departing the target building and moving into a nearby field. Responding in self-defense, the ground force engaged, killing the four armed terrorists. As they secured the area where the terrorists were located, the ground force found various equipment and weapons, including four military style assault vests, machine guns, ammunition and magazines, bomb-making materials and medical supplies.

The ground force moved to a nearby building and discovered a large weapons cache that included machine guns, rockets, grenades, numerous magazines and ammunition, mortars, improvised explosive device materials and initiators, detonation cord, ball bearings, military-style assault vests, medical supplies, and various other military hardware items. A vehicle found in the target area also contained numerous AQI propaganda materials. During their final sweep of the area, Coalition forces found another weapons cache and a building with several false floors containing weapons and ammunition. Once the area was clear, Coalition forces called supporting fixed-wing aircraft to conduct precision airstrikes, destroying two buildings, two vehicles and the two weapons caches to prevent further use for terrorist activities.

In Mosul Saturday and today, Coalition forces detained six suspected terrorists, including an alleged leader involved in the AQI network operating on the east side of the city. The suspect is reportedly associated with several senior leaders of the AQI network in the region, to include Abu Yasir al-Saudi, also known as Jar Allah, the former Saudi AQI leader and foreign terrorist facilitator killed Feb. 27 (see MNF-I press release A080301c, “UPDATE: Coalition forces identify AQI leader, associate killed in Mosul raid,” dated March 1, 2008).

As Coalition forces began to enter the target building, they encountered a terrorist armed with a suicide vest. The ground force evacuated before the terrorist detonated his vest, killing himself, but causing no harm to Coalition forces. The ground force continued to clear the area and found a vehicle loaded with several weapons, which they destroyed on site to prevent further use for terrorist activity. Also in Mosul, another three suspects were detained during a separate operation targeting a senior leader for the city’s AQI network.

Northeast of Balad this morning, Coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists while targeting an alleged explosives facilitator connected to the Baghdad AQI network. Coalition forces also discovered 30 bags of Urea, a common precursor for homemade explosive materials, in one of the target buildings, which was safely destroyed, along with a vehicle allegedly used for terrorist activity. Nearby, another four suspects were detained during an operation Saturday targeting an alleged AQI associate involved in the facilitation of foreign terrorists and smuggling weapons and IED materials.

Coalition forces detained another 10 suspects today near Taji, during an operation targeting an alleged associate of the senior leader for the northern belt AQI network.

“Al-Qaeda’s indiscriminate violence has no place in Iraq’s future,” said Navy Capt. Vic Beck, MNF-I spokesman. “While a tough fight remains ahead of us, Iraqi and Coalition forces will continue take the fight to al-Qaeda, keeping the terrorists on the defensive and diminishing their ability to attack innocent civilians.”

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