MNF-I notes Zarqawi Network Moving Away From Inner Fallujah
Fallujah, Iraq - Multi-National Force-Iraq intelligence indicates that Zarqawi followers are starting to move to outlying areas of Fallujah in a continuing attempt to hide amidst the civilian population of Fallujah due to precision strikes against Zarqawi hideouts and fighting positions.
Multi-National forces urge the people of Fallujah to continue to support coalition efforts by providing information on the locations of Zarqawi associates. Coalition forces credit the success of eroding Zarqawi's support base to the courage and bravery of Iraqi citizens who have come forward because they want the terrorists out of their neighborhoods, out of Fallujah, and out of Iraq.
Multi-National forces will continue to strike at positively identified terrorist cells and anti-Iraqi force gatherings wherever they occur. Those who associate with terrorists and kidnappers, including family members who support such efforts, are accountable. Terrorists and AIF continue to disregard the safety of innocent civilians by hiding among them.
In recent weeks, Multi-National forces have eliminated several Zarqawi meeting sites, safe houses and training locations, resulting in the destruction of numerous weapons, to include large stockpiles of illegal explosives, car bombs and have captured numerous Zarqawi operatives.
Zarqawi is behind many of the most heinous suicide bombings, mortar attacks, kidnappings, and shootings that have claimed hundreds of innocent Iraqi lives. This past week, a group led by Zarqawi pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden and said it was in contact with al Qaeda over operations in Iraq.
In addition to the wanton killings of innocent Iraqis, Zarqawi has also claimed direct responsibility for the deaths of many people who were in Iraq to help rebuild the nation. A statement attributed to the Zarqawi network claimed this past week that it had beheaded 11 members of the Iraqi police and National Guard.
Zarqawi has also claimed credit for a string of car bombs, including a multiple car bomb attack at a celebration to inaugurate a sewage plant in Baghdad last month. The attack killed more than 34 children and injured more than 130 people, including over 70 children, according to Iraqi government sources.
Release #041023b
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