OIF Summary, May 16, 2009: Troops in Iraq Target Syrian-Based al-Qaeda Network

Dispatches from the Front:

BAGHDAD, May 16, 2009 -- Iraqi and Coalition forces targeted a Syrian-based al-Qaeda in Iraq network operating in Iraq and other AQI network cells on Friday and Saturday.

Near Tall al Hawa, approximately 83 km northwest of Mosul, an Iraqi and Coalition team conducted an operation targeting the Syrian-based Al Qaeda-linked foreign terrorist facilitator, Sa’ad Uwayid Ubayd al-shammari aka Abu Khalaf.

The U.S. Treasury Department has recently frozen all of Abu Khalaf’s bank accounts and financial assets found in the United States. This terrorist is believed to be responsible for facilitating the main pipeline of suicide bombers, as well as the flow of money, weapons, terrorists and other resources from Syria into Iraq.

The combined force was led to a residence where they captured three of Abu Khalaf’s associates. Iraqi authorities on scene identified one of the detainees as being wanted for his involvement in vehicle-borne improvised explosive devise attacks.

In Mosul, Iraqi and Coalition forces conducted and operation targeting an AQI operative. The suspected is alleged to have ties to senior AQI leaders in the area and knowledge of AQI activities in the region.

The combined force received information on the suspect’s location. Upon entering the residence the suspect turned himself over to the combined force without incident.

One additional suspect was detained for further questioning regarding his involvement in AQI activities.

(Report from a Multinational Division Center news release.)

Tags: DOD, War, Military, GWOT, terrorism, al Qaeda, al Qaida, Operation Iraqi Freedom, OIF, United States, U.S., coalition, Iraq, Dispatches from the Front, Multinational Force
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Buzz, Tension