OIF Summary, Dec. 23, 2009: Forces in Iraq Arrest 7 Terrorism Suspects

Dispatches from the Front:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2009 -- Iraqi security forces working with U.S. advisors arrested seven terrorism suspects today during two security operations, military officials reported.

Four suspects were arrested in Rashidiyah, north of Mosul, during an operation conducted to arrest a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member believed responsible for suicide-vest attacks in Balad and Muqdadiyah.

Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi forces to arrest four suspected criminal associates of the al-Qaida in Iraq member without incident.

In southern Baghdad, Iraqi forces arrested a suspected member of a Kataib Hezbollah explosives cell believed to be responsible for mortar attacks conducted in September against security forces and civilians in the Basra region and two suspected accomplices.

After conducting preliminary questioning and examining evidence at the scene, Iraqi forces arrested the alleged Kataib Hezbollah member and his accomplices without incident.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)