Security forces arrest suspected members of al-Qaeda in Iraq

November 15, 2:23 PMLaw Enforcement ExaminerJim Kouri

Iraqi security forces arrested eight terrorism suspects on Friday while conducting three combined security operations in pursuit of al-Qaeda in Iraq members operating in northern region.

In Jananiyah, northwest of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq member allegedly involved in coordinating vehicle-borne bomb attacks and acquiring weapons for the al-Qaeda in Iraq network in Anbar province.

Through preliminary questioning and evidence gathered at the scene, Iraqi forces determined the identity of the targeted al-Qaeda in Iraq member and arrested him and two of his suspected criminal accomplices.

In a separate operation in Rashidiyah, north of Mosul, the Iraqi 3rd Federal Police Brigade and U.S. advisors searched a building for an alleged member of al-Qaeda in Iraq involved in constructing homemade bombs used in attacks targeting civilians throughout the region.

One individual tested positive for explosive residue, and forces found several grenades and handguns in the building. Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, forces identified three suspects associated with criminal activity and arrested them without incident.

In a rural area northeast of Baghdad, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq member involved in procuring vehicles for use in vehicle-borne bomb attacks in the region. Based on evidence found at the scene, Iraqi police arrested two individuals suspected of engaging in criminal activity.

Elsewhere, Iraqi security forces arrested a suspected member of the Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorist organization today during a joint security operation in northern Baghdad.

Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for the suspected Jaysh al-Mahdi member, who is allegedly involved in assassination and intimidation campaigns against Iraqi citizens who provide information to local law enforcement officials about Jaysh al-Mahdi members and criminal activities.

Based on preliminary questioning and evidence gathered at the scene, the security team arrested the suspected Jaysh al-Mahdi member without incident.

Elsewhere, the Sulaymaniyah Asaish special weapons and tactics unit, with U.S. forces advisors, arrested a suspected terrorist cell leader under the authority of a warrant Nov. 9 in northern Iraq. The individual is suspected of being a former high ranking member of the Baath Party – the political party of deposed dictator Saddam Hussein -- and allegedly is a key figure in the al-Qaeda terrorist group.

The suspect has been linked to major explosive attacks throughout northern Iraq and has been connected to financing terrorist cells. He was arrested under the authority of a warrant issued by the Higher Judicial Court of Ramadi.