Dec. 23, 2006 – During the past two days, coalition and Iraqi forces detained 48 suspected terrorists and disabled three vehicles used to transport explosives, Multinational Corps Iraq officials reported today. Targeting an al Qaeda terror cell, special Iraqi security forces with coalition advisors captured seven suspected terrorists today during a raid in the Ghazaliya area of Baghdad.
The cell is responsible for kidnappings, roadside bomb attacks and killings in the Mansour district. The suspects allegedly belong to a group which openly claims responsibility for killing Iraqi civilians and police. They also are suspected of harboring foreign fighters and facilitating attacks against coalition forces.
During the operation, Iraqi forces disabled three vehicles suspected of being used by the group to move explosives, officials said.
In other news from Iraq, 1st Iraqi Army Division forces with coalition advisors yesterday detained 27 suspected insurgents during simultaneous operations at multiple locations west of Fallujah. Officials say they believe the insurgent network is responsible for roadside bomb and small-arms attacks in the area. Officials also allege the suspects are involved in weapons trafficking and other criminal activity supporting their terrorist activities against Iraqi and coalition forces.
Elsewhere yesterday, 5th Iraqi Army Division forces with coalition advisors detained 13 suspects during operations near Muqdadiyah. Officials say they believe the suspects are responsible for kidnapping, murder and other sectarian attacks against Iraqi civilians.
Meanwhile, near Ramadi, 7th Iraqi Army Division forces with coalition advisors captured a suspect who allegedly belongs to an insurgent cell responsible for attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces in that area. One other person was detained for further questioning, officials reported.
Minimal damage was caused to the objectives and surrounding areas, and there were no reports of civilian casualties. There were no Iraqi or coalition forces casualties.
