Coalition Forces detained 20 suspected terrorists during raids Wednesday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq key leadership and operatives throughout Iraq.During early morning raids in the northern city of Mosul targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq key leadership, Coalition Forces detained three suspected terrorists. One of the three individuals detained during the operation is assessed to be the al-Qaeda in Iraq administrative emir for Mosul.
Coalition Forces detained 10 suspected terrorists during operations in Tarmiyah. The 10 individuals were detained for their association with a known al-Qaeda in Iraq key leader who coordinates vehicle-borne improvised explosive device operations and attacks throughout Baghdad.
In a series of coordinated raids in Samarra, Coalition Forces detained six suspected terrorists. During one operation, five individuals were detained for their association with key al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership in central Iraq known to be involved in the movement of foreign terrorists into Iraq. During a separate operation in Samarra, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist who is assessed to be a close associate of the Baghdad al-Qaeda in Iraq leadership.
In the capital city, Coalition Forces detained one suspected terrorist while targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq’s network in Baghdad. “With every operation Coalition Forces conduct we are further degrading and destroying the al-Qaeda in Iraq network,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson. “Al-Qaeda and its foreign leadership seek only to bring violence and fear to the Iraqi people in its attempt to prevent a secure and democratic Iraq.”