Iraqi Forces Arrest 5 Suspected Terrorists

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2010 – Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested five men suspected of carrying out attacks for two terrorist groups operating in Iraq, military officials said.

Iraqi security forces arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq attack-cell member today in Taji, about 15 miles north of Baghdad.

Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspect believed to have provided safe haven for other terrorists and to have planned bomb attacks against security forces. After a preliminary investigation, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two suspected criminal associates.

Yesterday, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested two suspected Jaysh al-Mahdi terrorist group members in southeastern Baghdad.

The combined force was searching for a suspected Jaysh al-Mahdi commander believed to be involved in assassinations, kidnappings and bombing attacks targeting security forces. Iraqi forces arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted man following a preliminary investigation.

(Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq news releases.)