OIF Summary, April 26, 2009: Troops Conduct Raid, Nab Special Groups Members in Al Kut, Iraq

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGHDAD, April 26, 2009 -- Coalition forces arrested six suspected members of the JAM Special Groups and Promise Day Brigade and killed one suspected network criminal early Sunday in Al Kut.

In an operation fully coordinated and approved by the Iraqi government, Coalition forces targeted a network financier, who is also responsible for smuggling weapons into the country to support JAM Special Groups and Promise Day Brigade.

Coalition forces approached a residence believed to be the location of the suspect, as forces approached the residence an individual with a weapon came out of the home. Forces assessed him to be hostile, and they engaged the man, killing him. During the engagement, a woman in the area moved into the line of fire and was also struck by gunfire. A Coalition forces medic treated her on site, but she died of her wounds before she could be evacuated.

Forces apprehended six other JAM Special Groups and Promise Day Brigade associates without incident.

The U.S. military formally stated: "The Government of Iraq has requested the temporary assistance of U.S. forces for the purpose of supporting Iraq in its effort to maintain security and stability, including cooperation in the conduct of operations against terrorist and criminal groups, and remnants of the former regime."

Saturday, a Multi-National Division - North Soldier died from injuries sustained following an attack on a patrol in the Kirkuk Province of northern Iraq.

The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense.

(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)

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