THE TENSION: Troops in Iraq Detain 9 Suspected Terrorists

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, July 11, 2008 -- Coalition forces in Iraq detained an alleged al-Qaida leader and eight other suspected terrorists during separate operations in Mosul, Beiji and Baghdad today, military officials said.

Near Beiji, coalition forces captured the suspected al-Qaida bombing-cell leader. The detainee is linked to attacks on security forces and civilians in the Tigris River Valley. Two additional suspects were detained during the operation.

In Baghdad, coalition forces detained two more suspected terrorists.

In Mosul, four additional suspected al-Qaida terrorists were detained during another operation.

In other news, U.S. soldiers detained a key suspect during an operation in eastern Baghdad yesterday. The detainee is believed to be a criminal leader with ties to attacks in eastern Baghdad this year.

“Taking an individual like this off the streets of Baghdad is an important stepping stone toward the continued establishment of security for the people of Iraq,” said Army Maj. Joey Sullinger, a spokesman for the 10th Mountain Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team. “Taking out these threats to Iraqi stability strengthens Iraq now and for future generations.”

In July 9 operations:

U.S. soldiers seized contraband ordnance during two separate actions in and around Baghdad. The soldiers confiscated four rockets, 74 mortar rounds, two rocket fuses, and hundreds of rounds of small-arms ammunition.

Iraqi soldiers patrolling the Sadr City district of Baghdad uncovered contraband weapons and materials. The Iraqi troops seized six mortars and four rockets. The weapons were turned in to U.S. soldiers at a joint security station. In a separate action, Iraqi soldiers found 171 copper blocks.

U.S. soldiers detained two known criminals in Baghdad’s Bayaa neighborhood.

In July 8 operations, Iraqi scouts led U.S. military members to a large cache of explosives located near Numaniyah. The cache contained more than 1,300 anti-aircraft shells, 60 high-explosive artillery shells, six tank shells, and several shell casings. U.S. Navy explosives experts destroyed the cache.

Also July 8, U.S. soldiers detained six suspected terrorists and discovered three munitions caches during operations in southern Baghdad.

Two suspected murderers were detained in Baghdad’s Zubaida neighborhood.

Four suspects were detained in Baghdad’s Masafee sector.

A concerned Iraqi citizen turned in two grenades and a battery to U.S. troops.

U.S. soldiers discovered a 120 mm mortar round in Baghdad’s Jazair community.

U.S. troops picked up two rocket-propelled grenades from a checkpoint manned by the “Sons of Iraq” citizen security group in Baghdad’s Hadar community.