Feb. 14, 2007 - Coalition forces killed 15 terrorists and detained 44 others in operations around Iraq over the past two days.
During operations targeting al Qaeda terrorists and an associated improvised explosive device network in Arab Jabour today, coalition forces killed an estimated 15 terrorists and prevented two IEDs from being emplaced.
Coalition forces received enemy fire on the ground and from a fortified building in the area during the operation. Determining the targets too hostile for ground troops, coalition forces called for close-air support. Fixed wing aircraft used precision-guided munitions to destroy the building.
The air strike killed five terrorists and wounded four suspected terrorists, military officials said. The wounded men, and one child who suffered a leg wound in the strike, were transported to a nearby military hospital for treatment.
Also during the operation, coalition forces disrupted two separate terrorist groups in the process of emplacing IEDs along a nearby road. The groups are part of a network that is responsible for many devastating car bomb attacks in the Baghdad area, military officials said.
Due to the high level of danger, fixed wing aircraft were used to destroy the IEDs. Ten terrorists were killed as a result of this strike, military officials said.
Elsewhere in Iraq today, coalition forces detained 27 suspected terrorists in a series of coordinated raids targeting the al Qaeda in Iraq network.
During raids in Ramadi, coalition forces detained 20 suspected terrorists who are allegedly tied to the network. Additionally, ground forces seized computers and electronic equipment.
Coalition forces detained four suspects in Baghdad, and three more in Karmah. Military officials said the detainees have ties to the al Qaeda in Iraq network.
During operations in northern Baghdad yesterday, special Iraqi army forces, with coalition advisors, captured an alleged member of a rogue Jaysh Al-Mahdi militia, and detained 10 others.
Military officials believe the suspects are responsible for kidnapping, torturing and murdering Iraqi citizens and security forces in the area.
Also in the Iraqi capital yesterday, special Iraqi army forces captured a suspected weapons supplier and financier of rogue Jaysh Al-Mahdi cells. Iraqi forces detained an additional person for questioning.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)