THE TENSION: Forces Capture Suspected Terrorists in Iraq

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2007 (AFPS) -- Coalition forces captured a suspected terrorist and detained four other suspects today during operations in central and northern Iraq.

During operations in Mosul, coalition forces captured a wanted individual reported to be a judge in a terrorist illegal court system in the city. The suspect is believed to be involved in ordering and approving abductions and executions, as well as facilitating the transfer of money and weapons to local terrorist leaders. Coalition forces secured the target area without incident. The wanted individual identified himself to the ground force, and he was detained.

Farther south in Baqouba, coalition forces detained four suspects during an operation targeting an alleged terrorist leader in Diyala province. Information gained from previous operations indicates the targeted individual has ties to a terrorist media cell and other senior leaders operating in the province.

"We continue to dismantle the terrorist networks that threaten the security of Iraq," said Army Maj. Winfield Danielson, a Multinational Force Iraq spokesman. "The people of Iraq have chosen their future; Iraqi and coalition forces will ensure al Qaeda in Iraq stays out of their way."

In operations earlier this week:

Soldiers assigned to 5th Iraqi Army Division manning a traffic control point north of Ghalibiyah prevented a suicide attack by killing a suspected al Qaeda terrorist driving a vehicle packed with explosives Nov. 6. The vehicle was speeding toward the traffic control point and, after failing to slow down, was targeted and destroyed. A large secondary explosion was observed after the vehicle was engaged, indicating explosives were in the vehicle. "I commend the Iraqi soldiers for stopping the suicide bomber," said Army Col. David W. Sutherland, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Task Force Iron and the senior coalition commander in Diyala province. "Their quick action prevented an attack that could have cost them their lives and the lives of their fellow soldiers and citizens."

Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, engaged an insurgent force following a suspected al Qaeda indirect-fire attack Nov. 6 at Combat Outpost Cahill, near Salman Pak, resulting in the death of at least one insurgent. Soldiers reported that two 60 mm mortar rounds landed on the outpost, and two to three rounds hit near the outpost shortly thereafter. The troops engaged a small enemy element with machine guns and sniper rifles during the initial contact. Two more mortar rounds hit outside of the post, and the unit retaliated with AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Air Force A-10 fighters. The four Apache helicopters and two A-10s expended ammunition on enemy positions. Bradley fighting vehicles and mortar crews supported this final engagement, as well.

Coalition forces captured a wanted criminal and detained five others during operations in the village of Sindiyah, northwest of Khalis, on Nov. 5. The operation was targeting a "special groups" leader reported to be involved in the procurement of weapons and the manufacturing of improvised explosive devices used in attacks against coalition forces. Intelligence reports led the assault force to the target building. Upon entry, one suspected criminal was detained. Additional reports led forces to a follow-on location, where they captured the wanted individual and detained four other suspects without incident. "There has been much progress in the fight for a secure and stable Iraq, but there is still work to accomplish," Danielson said.