US forces capture 'al-Qaida cell leader' in Iraq raid
Congress was told of the progress in Iraq since the much-publicised surge
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Saturday, 14, Jul 2007 05:16
Coalition forces in Iraq have captured a suspected al-Qaida cell leader in a raid in the town of Mosul, north-west of Baghdad.
US forces believe the person captured is a senior leader accused of operating terrorist cells in the area and having connections with other senior al-Qaida in Iraq leaders.
A further 17 suspected insurgents were also detained in a number of operations in central and northern Iraq.
Major Marc Young, a spokesman for the coalition forces in Iraq, said: "Combating the bombing networks that conduct vicious attacks against the citizens of Iraq is a high priority for us.
"Taking these leaders and operatives off the street brings us a step closer to a peaceful Iraq."
It was also confirmed that in an operation in Baghdad on July 11th involving Iraqi forces and coalition units, an insurgent commander named Said Jaffer was killed.
US forces said the man was allegedly the commander of more than 120 troops which had attacked coalition troops with roadside bombs.
One multi-national division soldier was killed in Baghdad in a separate operation when an explosive detonated near a patrol in the Iraqi capital.
The soldier's name has been withheld until their next of kin has been informed by the US department of defence.
Meanwhile US president George Bush's radio address was dominated by the Iraq progress report delivered to Congress earlier this week.
Mr Bush said some improvement had been seen in Iraq and a further update would be given in September.