MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790

July 21, 2007
Release A070721b

18 suspected terrorists detained near Baghdad mosque

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Iraqi and Coalition Forces detained 18 suspected terrorists during an operation Saturday targeting al-Qaeda in Iraq operatives near the Um al-Qura mosque in the Kadhimiyah neighborhood in Baghdad.

In a pre-dawn operation based on credible intelligence, Iraqi and Coalition Forces arrived at the Um al-Qura mosque complex to capture a suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq member believed to be operating a terrorist media cell.  The Iraqi and Coalition Forces negotiated with gate guards, who allowed the ground forces access to the compound.  Some guards told Iraqi and Coalition Forces they thought the ground forces had arrived because of all the al-Qaeda members in the compound.

Neither Iraqi nor Coalition Forces entered the mosque itself.

The ground forces surrounded several outer buildings in the compound and secured them, capturing the targeted individual and 17 other suspected terrorists.  During the operation, Iraqi and Coalition Forces found extremist propaganda and media materials.

“We do not enter mosques for the sole purpose of disrupting terrorist activities or conducting a show of force.  Mosque entries occur only as a last resort, and only when substantial and credible evidence shows terrorist activity is occurring there, like the harboring of terrorist leaders.  In this case, we didn’t need to enter the mosque itself,” said Maj. Marc Young, an MNF-I spokesperson.  “Coalition Forces have great respect for Muslim religious sites and take extensive measures to treat those sites with care.”
 
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