13 Terrorists Killed, 12 Suspects Detained East Of Tarmiyah

13 Terrorists Killed, 12 Suspects Detained East Of Tarmiyah

Coalition Forces killed 13 terrorists and detained 12 suspected terrorists east of Tarmiyah Friday during an operation targeting an al-Qaeda in Iraq cell leader who provides guidance to senior terrorist leaders.

As Coalition Forces approached the targeted area, they immediately received heavy small arms fire from several buildings in the area. The ground forces returned fire, but when the enemy did not yield, Coalition Forces called for close air support. Enemy fire continued from other areas and ground forces used small arms and rocket launchers to return fire.

Still under fire, Coalition Forces moved to secure individual buildings. Despite the ground forces’ repeated calls to come out of the building, hostile occupants of one building refused to comply. The assault force called for them to send out any noncombatants to be taken to a safe area, but again the armed terrorists did not comply. Coalition Forces escalated their level of force, including using airborne firepower against the enemy, until four armed terrorists emerged from the building firing at the ground forces. The four terrorists, including a female wearing a ski mask and wielding a rifle, were killed by aircraft and sniper fire. Secondary explosions erupted from the building after it was engaged by the aircraft, indicating explosives stored inside.

The ground forces, still taking fire from enemy positions, called in an additional force to help repel the terrorists’ attack. The assault force continued to secure individual buildings as aircraft and additional units suppressed enemy fighters with small arms fire. Coalition Forces assessed that aircraft and sniper fire killed nine more terrorists in the fighting. Additionally, despite Coalition Forces’ appeals for the terrorists to send out women and children to be taken to safety, a boy was killed in a building with an armed terrorist who had engaged the ground forces.

“Terrorists continue to put innocent children in harm’s way when they make bystanders unwitting participants in their illegal activities,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. “Their disregard for human life is contrary to the values of decent people everywhere.”

The ground forces detained 12 suspected terrorists during the operation.

(From press release #A070817b by MNF-I - Press Desk, Baghdad, Iraq)