Iraqi Army Scouts, U.S. Special Forces detain key suspected al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists linked to Samarra attack

Iraqi Army Scouts, with U.S. Special Forces as advisers, detained three suspected al Qaeda in Iraq leaders, including the al Qaeda in Iraq Emir for operations in Samarra, during an intelligence driven operation Aug. 28 in Tikrit.

The three suspects are linked to the Mosul-based Islamic State of Iraq, an organization established as a front for Al Qaeda in Iraq. Intelligence indicates the three are linked to an attack on Coalition Forces Aug. 26 in Samarra that killed two Coalition Soldiers and two innocent civilians. Coalition Forces repelled the attack, killing at least a dozen insurgents and capturing 14 others.

One of the other detainees is reportedly an al Qaeda in Iraq military coordinator for operations around Samarra while the third detainee is believed to be a local facilitator for al Qaeda operations in Tikrit. Reports indicate all three individuals had recently arrived in Tikrit from Samarra.

No Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured in the operation.

From press release #20070829-08 by Multi-National Corps-Iraq - Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory