THE TENSION: Troops in Iraq Capture 17 Suspected al-Qaida Terrorists

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1, 2008 -- Coalition forces captured 17 suspected al-Qaida terrorists during operations in Baghdad and Mosul today, while Iraqi police found an assortment of explosives in Baghdad, military officials said.

In today’s operations:

Fifteen suspected terrorists were captured in a village southwest of Mosul.

In Baghdad, coalition forces captured an alleged al-Qaida associate, as well as an additional suspected terrorist.

Iraqi police found nine roadside bombs designed to pierce armor-hulled vehicles, 10 1-pound blocks of explosive material, three 20-kilogram bags of explosives and bomb-making materials in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.

In operations yesterday, U.S. soldiers in Baghdad detained two suspected criminals for questioning. The operation resulted in the surrender of another suspect.

Also yesterday, Iraqi soldiers seized a sniper rifle, an AK-47 assault rifle, an AK-47 short stalk, a rocket-propelled grenade round, and two hand grenades in the Kadamiyah area of Baghdad.

During July 30 operations:

Iraqi soldiers detained a suspected al-Qaida financier during an operation in Sadiyah. Three other suspected terrorists were detained during the operation.

U.S. soldiers detained a suspected Iranian-backed “special groups” criminal near the Jihad community in Baghdad’s Rashid district. Five other suspects also were detained.

U.S. soldiers detained a suspect after discovering possible bomb-making materials in his home in Baghdad’s Risalah neighborhood.

Iraq security forces captured three suspected terrorists in separate operations: The Mosul special weapons and tactics team captured a suspected mid-level al-Qaida operative in Namrood; the Fallujah SWAT squad captured a suspected al-Qaida member during an operation in Fallujah; and to the north of Baghdad, Iraqi National Police captured a suspected al-Qaida leader.

In July 29 operations:

An Iraqi special operations and weapons team from Haditha detained a suspected al-Qaida terrorist in Barwanah, northwest of Baghdad.

Iraqi special operations forces detained two suspected terrorists north of Baghdad.

Iraqi special operations forces detained four suspected al-Qaida members in Tahwila, northwest of Baghdad. One of the detainees is linked to coordinating the movement of weapons and people between the Diyala and Udaim river valleys.

In July 28 operations: