Release A050621c

Local tip helps Soldiers seize terror suspects

Multi-National Force-Iraq

BAGHDAD , Iraq – An Iraqi citizen's tip helped Task Force Baghdad Soldiers capture eight terror suspects in the Risalah district of south Baghdad on June 20.

  Shortly after 6 p.m., the Iraqi told the Soldiers he had seen approximately 10 men running from the site of an attack on the Ministry of the Interior compound into nearby houses. The tipster also said the men running into the houses had AK-47 rifles and rocket-propelled grenades.

  When a patrol searched the houses, they detained eight terror suspects, many of whom were found hiding in closets holding loaded weapons. The Soldiers took the suspects into custody for questioning.

  Earlier in the day, at 9 a.m., a Task Force Baghdad convoy in south Baghdad was attacked by terrorists who detonated a parked car bomb as the Soldiers drove by and then opened fire on them. The Soldiers returned fire and the terrorists broke contact.

  Ten minutes later, three Iraqi Army platoons arrived to help pin the terrorists in a nearby building. The Iraqi Soldiers sealed off the building, entered and captured two terrorists.

  A Task Force Baghdad patrol in north Baghdad stopped an ambulance carrying weapons and 11 military-aged males at 12:30 a.m. on June 21.

  After observing the ambulance being driven erratically, the Soldiers stopped the vehicle and found eight passengers in the back. They also found one AK-47, one 9mm pistol and two ski masks. The ambulance was not carrying medical supplies or life-saving equipment except one litter-type stretcher.

  The vehicle was moving about after the Iraqi-imposed curfew and the passengers admitted to having no medical training. The vehicle had no license plates and the men had no paperwork regarding the weapons.

  All 11 men in the vehicle were detained for further questioning.

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The Task Force Baghdad Public Affairs Office provided the text for this release. For more information on this, please e-mail Sgt. 1st Class David Abrams at [email protected]