OIF Summary, Nov. 20, 2009: Forces in Iraq Nab Terrorism Suspects

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20, 2009 -- Iraqi security forces arrested five suspected members of the al-Qaida in Iraq and the Islamic State of Iraq terrorist groups today during three combined security operations conducted with U.S. advisors in the Iraqi cities of Ramadi, Tikrit and Kirkuk, military officials reported.

Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two buildings in Ramadi for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader believed to be responsible for multiple vehicle-borne bomb attacks in the region.

After questioning those in the buildings and examining evidence found at the scene, Iraqi forces arrested two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq associates.

In Tikrit, Salahuddin province police and U.S. advisors searched a building for an alleged associate of al-Qaida in Iraq and Islamic State of Iraq. Police conducted a preliminary investigation, and based on questioning conducted at the scene, arrested two individuals determined to be accomplices of the suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member.

In southern Kirkuk, an Iraqi emergency services unit and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected Islamic State of Iraq member believed to be involved in planning and conducting vehicle-borne bomb attacks against security forces in Iraq.

Members of the Iraqi unit made one arrest without incident based on evidence found at the scene linking the arrested individual to criminal activity.

In northeastern Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi soldiers arrested a Kataib Hezbollah terrorist organization cell member during a combined operation.

The Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors searched a building and arrested the Kataib Hezbollah member, who allegedly leads a sniper and missiles group in addition to being part of a media cell that records attacks against security forces in Iraq.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)