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MNF-I

Iraqi Special Operations Forces, with U.S. Special Forces acting as advisers, detained two al Qaeda in Iraq cell leaders during an operation Sept. 6 in Adahmiyah, Iraq.

The Sunni extremists are responsible for conducting improvised explosive device and mortar attacks against civilians and Coalition Forces in the area.

One of the detained cell leaders is allegedly an assistant al Qaeda in Iraq financier. The second suspect directs and carries out IED attacks against Coalition Forces.

Intelligence indicates that on July 11, the cell detonated an IED on a U.S. convoy securing the Adhahmiyah area, and that on Aug. 2 the cell members again detonated an IED on another U.S. convoy in the Ras Al Hush area.

A third suspicious individual was also detained for further questioning during the operation.

During an earlier operation Sept. 5, Iraqi Special Operations Forces detained one suspected al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist during a helicopter raid in Fallujah.

The insurgent is linked to an al Qaeda in Iraq cell responsible for mortar and improvised explosive device attacks against Coalition Forces and local citizens.

During the raid, a Military Working Dog identified a truck outside the main targeted building as testing positive for explosives. After forces cleared the area, F-16 Fighting Falcons were called in, destroying the vehicle-borne IED with two precision guided bombs. There was no collateral damage to the area and no civilians, Iraqi or U.S. Forces were injured during the destruction of the truck.

U.S. Special Forces served as advisers during both operations.