Iraqi Forces Arrest 6 Suspected Terrorists

American Forces Press Service

Jan. 11, 2010 - Iraqi security forces arrested five suspected terrorists during operations today in Baghdad and northern Iraq, military officials said. The 44th Iraqi Army soldiers arrested a Promised Day Brigade explosives-cell member and two suspected criminal associates during a joint security operation in northeastern Baghdad.

Acting on a court-issued warrant, the Iraqi soldiers with U.S. advisors searched a residential building for the suspect linked to explosive devices and rockets used in attacks against security forces in the region.

The Iraqi soldiers identified and arrested the alleged terrorist and two suspected criminal associates without incident.

Also today, Iraqi security forces arrested three wanted al-Qaida in Iraq members during two joint security operations in Baghdad and northern Iraq.

In northwest Baghdad, Iraqi security forces and U.S. advisors searched a residential building for a suspected female terrorist who is believed to be actively recruiting female suicide bombers for use in high-profile attacks against government officials and civilians.

The Iraqi forces identified and arrested the alleged terrorist and another suspect without incident.

During a second operation in Esaiwid, northeast of Baghdad, Iraqi security forces and U.S. advisors searched for a member of a Kirkuk-based improvised explosive device cell. The man also is suspected of aiding terrorist leaders.

Iraqi forces identified and arrested the suspected al-Qaida member without incident.

In other news, Iraqi security forces arrested a suspected Iranian-linked assassination cell leader and a suspected accomplice during a Jan. 7 joint security operation southeast of Baghdad.

Iraqi security forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for the suspected cell leader, who also is believed to be involved in a weapons-smuggling network.

Iraqi forces identified and arrested the suspected cell leader and his alleged accomplice without incident.

Also, Iraqi forces arrested six suspected terrorists during three joint security operations Jan. 6-7 that targeted al-Qaida in Iraq members in northern Iraq.

Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched for a suspected al-Qaida leader during a Jan. 7 operation in northeastern Mosul. Iraqi forces arrested two suspected criminals.

During another Jan. 7 operation, northeast of Baghdad, Iraqi police with U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida member linked to improvised explosive attacks in Baghdad. The police arrested a suspected associate of the al-Qaida suspect.

And, near the town of Arij, south of Mosul, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a residential building Jan. 6 for a suspected al-Qaida member who is believed to be acquiring and transporting supplies and explosives to carry out attacks throughout the region.

Iraqi security forces arrested three suspected associates of the alleged al-Qaida member.