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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=48826

Coalition Forces Detain 11 in Iraq Operations

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2008 – Coalition forces detained 11 suspected terrorists today in two operations focusing on disrupting al Qaeda networks operating in northern and central Iraq.

Near Abu Ghraib, forces captured an alleged al Qaeda member associated with procuring weapons from outside Iraq. The suspect reportedly is involved in constructing improvised explosive devices, including booby-trapped houses. Intelligence reports indicate he is associated with other al Qaeda members involved in the weapons-facilitation network, officials said. In addition to the wanted individual, coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists and found numerous bomb-making materials on site.

Information gained from the operations in Abu Ghraib led coalition forces to Baghdad, where they targeted a suspected terrorist leader responsible for transporting homemade explosives and bomb-making materials from outside Iraq and associated with the city’s al Qaeda media and propaganda networks. The ground force detained three suspected terrorists without incident.

“Each successful operation leads to another target,” said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. “Operations like these, combined with the assistance of local citizens, help us find al Qaeda networks and bring their members to justice.”

In Mosul, coalition forces targeted members of an al Qaeda suicide-bombing cell. The ground force captured the alleged cell leader and his brother-in-law, who reportedly also is a member of the cell. The suspected cell leader allegedly coordinated attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces, as well as assassinations targeting local officials and rival insurgents. Another suspected terrorist was detained during the operations.

Also in Mosul, coalition forces detained two suspected terrorists while targeting associates of an al Qaeda leader in the southeastern part of the city. The leader allegedly is a foreign-terrorist facilitator with numerous connections to al Qaeda senior leadership.

“Iraqi and coalition forces will continue to pressure al Qaeda in Iraq,” Danielson said. “Operations like these will keep al Qaeda off-balance and impair their ability to conduct brutal, indiscriminate attacks on Iraqi civilians.”

On Jan. 28, Multinational Division Baghdad soldiers arrested eight suspected extremists in the northwestern part of the Rashid district of the Iraqi capital. Two of the suspects had warrants with the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and five others were wanted for various criminal activities during the operation in Furat. The detainees were taken to a coalition detention facility for further questioning.