The individuals targeted during the raids are suspected members of a secret cell terrorist network known for facilitating the transport of weapons and explosively formed penetrators, or EFPs, from Iran to Iraq, as well as bringing militants from Iraq to Iran for terrorist training.
Coalition Forces found improvised explosive device materials and detained six individuals, including two who tested positive for explosives residue. Another two of the six suspects are believed to be key leaders in the secret cell terrorist network.
Intelligence reports indicate one suspected secret cell key leader is responsible for the planning and coordinating of numerous murders, kidnappings, assassinations and attacks on Iraqi civilians and Coalition Forces as well as involvement in IED attacks on Coalition Forces. The other suspected leader is an explosives expert and weapons dealer.
One Iraqi civilian received minor injuries during the course of the operations, and he received medical attention on the scene from Coalition Forces.
“Coalition Forces are targeting the terrorists, searching them out in the places they hide,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “This morning’s operation is one more step in removing the terrorist networks from Iraq.”
(Taken from press release #A070518a by Multi-National Force-Iraq - Combined Press Information Center, Baghdad, Iraq)
