Iraqis Arrest 7 in Multiple Operations

American Forces Press Service

Dec. 11, 2009 – Iraqi security forces arrested seven terrorism suspects in multiple operations in Iraq today, military officials reported. In Baqubah, northeast of Baghdad, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader in the Tarmiyah area. Police identified and arrested the suspect, who allegedly assists in acquiring suicide vests and coordinating suicide attacks in the region. A suspected associate also was arrested without incident.

In southern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for an alleged leader of an al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cell operating in the Rusafa-Karkh area. He also is suspected of executing Iraqi civilians and staging deadly attacks against security forces in the region. Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi forces to identify and arrest him, along with two suspected criminal accomplices.

In an operation near Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who leads communications and logistics efforts for the terrorist group within the Anbar area.

While searching in northwestern Baghdad with an arrest warrant for a senior member of the Promised Day Brigade terrorist organization, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected associate based on incriminating evidence found at the scene.

The man wanted on the warrant, who was not found, is believed to be in charge of distributing funds and acquiring weapons for terrorist cells in the Shullah area.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)