Posted on 09/19/2008 5:23:02 AM PDT by mdittmar
A suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorist alleged to lead improvised explosive device facilitation and brag about his victims was killed by Coalition forces during an operation in the Tikrit area Friday.
Coalition forces were led to the building after intelligence reports indicated the terrorist was in Ad Dawr, a town about 140 km northwest of Baghdad. His network operated in the Tigris River Valley and is suspected of conducting suicide bombings. The targeted terrorist allegedly worked for the suspected “emir” of Diyala, detained on Sept. 2 (Press Release attached below). The terrorist is assessed to be the IED “Emir” in the Muqdadiyah area. There have been over 25 IED incidents causing 38 casualties in the Muqdadiyah since Aug. 1, 2008.
After arriving at the target, forces surrounded the building and called for its occupants to surrender. Despite nearly an hour of multiple calls and warnings that the force would engage them, the individuals inside refused to come out.
An armed man appeared in the doorway, and coalition forces, perceiving hostile intent based on the man’s actions, engaged him. Later he was determined to be the suspected terrorist.
During the operation, and in accordance with applicable rules, supporting aircraft engaged and killed three additional terrorists suspects. Three women were also killed. An Iraqi child was rescued from the rubble by Coalition Forces and was evacuated to a nearby base where he is receiving medical treatment.
Surveillance teams observed two other people running from the building and taking shelter in a neighboring mosque. Coalition forces called for support from Iraqi forces, who aided by entering the mosque and apprehending one suspect. At no time did Coalition forces enter the mosque, which was not damaged during the operation.
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“Sadly, this incident again shows that the AQI terrorists repeatedly risk the lives of innocent women and children to further their evil work,” said Col Jerry O’Hara, MNF-I spokesman.
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BUMMER !!
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