Iraqi Army soldiers, with U.S. Special Operations Forces as advisers, detained 17 suspected terrorists during two raids Sept. 27 in Northern Iraq.In an early operation, Iraqi Army Scouts conducted a series of intelligence-driven helicopter assault raids southwest of Taji, resulting in the detention of an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader and 14 others suspected of conducting recent attacks against Coalition Forces.
The terrorist cell is believed to be responsible for the deaths of two Coalition Forces members during an Aug. 15 rocket and mortar attack against a forward operating base in Taji. The cell is also suspected of conducting a small-arms and rocket attack Feb. 25 against a U.S. Army UH-60, which resulted in an emergency landing and recovery operation. In addition, they are allegedly responsible for transporting weapons and facilitating foreign fighters.
In a separate operation, Soldiers from the 4th Iraqi Army Division detained two suspected terrorists during an intelligence-driven raid near Bayji. The Soldiers detained the targeted individual who is allegedly responsible for making improvised explosive devices and targeting Iraqi and U.S. Forces operating in the Bayji area.
Additionally, the assault force detained one individual suspected of assassinating an Iraqi Police officer.
En route to the targeted area, an improvised explosive device detonated between two of the assault force vehicles. The shrapnel from the IED hit several vehicles, but all were operational and the forces continued the mission.
In another operation, an air weapons team supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces in the Diyala Province, near Dali Abbas village, killed three enemy combatants Sept. 27. Three individuals carrying weapons were observed by the air weapons team as they maneuvered toward a landing zone being used by U.S. Special Forces Soldiers. The air weapons team engaged the armed individuals, killing them.