Iraqi security forces working with U.S. advisors arrested nine suspected terrorists over the last two days, military officials reported.

Eight of the arrests occurred today during four combined operations in central and northern Iraq.

In southwestern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors found bomb-making materials and arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader whose group is believed to be responsible for conducting high-profile attacks and robberies in Baghdad.

Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors found triggering devices for explosives while searching for a suspected member of an al-Qaida in Iraq cell believed to be responsible for planning and executing bombing attacks and assassinations throughout the region. Information and evidence gathered during the operation led Iraqi forces to identify and arrest the wanted man and two suspected criminal associates.

In Hafriyah, southeast of Kirkuk, an Iraqi emergency response unit and U.S. advisors searched for a suspected terrorist-group leader who is believed to be helping other terrorist groups plan and conduct attacks designed to discourage participation in Iraq’s upcoming elections. After questioning people and examining the evidence at the scene, Iraqi police arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted man.

Meanwhile, in a rural area northeast of Baghdad, an Iraqi emergency response unit and U.S. advisors searched for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who assists the terrorist group’s leadership in communicating instructions and messages between Iraq’s Diyala province and Baghdad. Evidence and information collected during the operation led Iraqi police to arrest two suspected criminal associates of the wanted man.

Yesterday in Ninevah province, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors arrested a suspected cell leader affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq terrorist group in Mosul. The suspect is accused of ordering vehicle-bomb attacks in northern Iraq. Officials also believe he ordered assassinations and bombing attacks on Iraqi forces throughout Ninevah.

In addition, officials said, intelligence reports indicate the cell may be linked to manufacturing bombs for several cells in the Mosul area.

Iraqi security forces working with U.S. advisors arrested three terrorism suspects, and a tip led to discovery of an enemy weapons stockpile in recent operations in Iraq.

Iraqi forces arrested two suspected terrorists today during a combined operation conducted in western Baghdad targeting the al-Qaida in Iraq terrorist group to hinder planned attacks preceding the country’s upcoming election.

Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for the suspected leader of an al-Qaida in Iraq group believed to be responsible for conducting high-profile attacks and robberies in Baghdad. Following preliminary questioning and examination of the evidence at the scene, Iraqi forces arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted man.

In Iraq’s Salahuddin province Feb. 28, Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected cell leader of the Islamic State of Iraq terrorist group in Beiji.

Iraqi officials believe the suspect is responsible for financing and supporting terrorist operations and housing foreign fighters in the province.

Intelligence reports also indicate the individual allegedly is connected to an assassination and kidnapping cell, and that he personally beheaded several victims, officials said. An Iraqi court issued a warrant for the suspect’s arrest.

In Tarmiyah on Feb. 26, information from a concerned Iraqi civilian led to Iraqi forces discovering four enemy weapons caches.

Acting on a tip about possible homemade explosives being stored for use during the March 7 elections, Iraqi forces coordinated with U.S. forces in searching for possible caches in the area. The tip proved accurate when Iraqi forces located four separate caches yielding multiple types of weapons. The first cache uncovered 10 bags of homemade explosives. Each bag contained 50 to 70 pounds of explosives with detonation cords attached.

Shortly after removing the explosives from the first cache, the Iraqi forces discovered a second cache that included three barrels with eight 57 mm mortars inside and an additional 38 mortars underneath. Also found were 25 30 mm grenades, a 75 mm artillery round, five 90 mm artillery rounds, more than 50 artillery and rocket base caps and nine top halves of 120 mm shells.

After removing the contents of the second cache, Iraqi forces continued the search, finding a third cache containing two rocket-propelled grenade launchers. A 57 mm mortar tube with the base plate was found at a fourth site.

Iraqi security forces collected all of the contents from the searches and took them to a secure area, where an explosive ordnance disposal team destroyed them.

Iraqi security forces arrested three suspected terrorists Feb. 26 during two operations here and in northern Iraq aimed at preventing attacks designed to disrupt the upcoming national elections.

In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected leader of a terrorist group that provides support and assistance to al-Qaida in Iraq by carrying out attacks and assassinations.

Following preliminary questioning and collection of evidence at the scene, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and a suspected criminal accomplice.

In a separate operation conducted in a rural area southeast of Kirkuk, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who carries out bombing attacks throughout the Tigris River Valley.

Information gathered during the operation led Iraqi police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted man.

Iraqi Security Forces captured an explosives and assassination-cell leader and four additional suspected terrorists today during three operations here and in northern Iraq to suppress al-Qaida in Iraq, military officials said.

In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two residential buildings with court warrants for two members – one a leader — of an AQI cell responsible for numerous assassinations and improvised explosive device attacks in the region.

Iraqi Security Forces identified and arrested both men and a suspected criminal accomplice based on preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene.

During a separate security operation in Abu Ghraib, about ten miles west of Baghdad, ISF and U.S. advisors searched a residential building for a suspected terrorist cell member who builds and employs IEDs in coordination with AQI, targeting security forces in Iraq.

The security team arrested the suspect after finding numerous electronic components used to make IEDs and IED initiators in his apartment and an adjacent workshop.

In a third operation last night, in a rural area south of Kirkuk, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected AQI member who provides safe haven for visiting AQI leaders.

Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the warranted man.

Iraqi security forces arrested 20 suspected terrorists in operations in Iraq over the last two days, military officials reported.

Fourteen of the suspects were arrested during four combined security operations in Baghdad and northern Iraq designed to degrade al-Qaida in Iraq operations, officials said.

In northwestern Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors arrested a wanted terrorist-cell leader believed to be closely associated with senior al-Qaida in Iraq members in Baghdad and to be responsible for planning bombing attacks. Iraqi forces arrested the wanted cell leader and a suspected criminal associate based on preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene.

Today in southwestern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected terrorist cell member who builds and employs bombs targeting security forces in Iraq in coordination with al-Qaida in Iraq. The suspect also is wanted for hiding terrorist weapons.

A roadside-bomb arming device and forged official documents were found on scene. Based on evidence and information gathered during the operation, Iraqi forces arrested the wanted suspect and nine suspected criminal associates.

Also today, an Iraqi emergency response unit and U.S. advisors in Muqdadiyah, northeast of Baghdad, searched a building for a suspected member of an al-Qaida in Iraq attack cell that conducts bombing attacks against Iraqi forces and civilians.

Evidence collected at the scene led police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted cell leader.

Members of the same emergency response unit and U.S. advisors also conducted an operation near Sulayman Bak, southeast of Kirkuk, searching several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq cell leader. Iraqi police arrested a suspected criminal associate of the wanted man.

In Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi federal police with U.S. forces advisors, acting on a warrant, arrested six suspected terrorists. The suspects allegedly are affiliated with an al-Qaida in Iraq cell in the Arab Jabour area. The cell is responsible for bombing and small-arms attacks against Iraqi forces.

Iraqi security forces arrested eight suspected terrorists today during separate operations conducted in northern Iraq and Baghdad, military officials said.

Iraqi forces arrested five suspected terrorists during two joint security operations today to degrade the al-Qaida in Iraq network in northern Iraq.

In Haditha, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for a suspected al-Qaida member believed to finance and traffic explosives into the Abu Ghraib area to carry out vehicle-borne improvised explosive device attacks. Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two suspected criminal accomplices.

During a separate operation in Khanaqin, the 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for a suspected al-Qaida member who coordinates attacks for the terrorist group in the Baghdad and Baqubah areas. Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest two suspected criminal associates of the warranted person.

Meanwhile, Iraqi soldiers today arrested two suspected terrorists during a joint security operation conducted in northeastern Baghdad to capture a suspected Promised Day Brigade terrorist leader.

Operating under a court-issued warrant, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors searched a residential building for a suspected terrorist leader linked to coordinating IED attacks in the Baghdad area. The suspect also is wanted for smuggling weapons into Iraq and for engaging in extortion activity, which serves as a source of funding for Promised Day, an Iranian-backed terrorist group.

While searching the building, the security team discovered a concealed compartment where the suspect was found hiding, armed with an AK-47 rifle and a significant amount of ammunition.

Information and evidence gathered at the scene led Iraqi soldiers to identify and arrest the suspected Promised Day leader and an alleged associate.

Iraqi security forces arrested a wanted Baghdad explosives-cell member and a suspected accomplice today during a combined security operation in a rural area south of Baghdad.

Based on tips, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building complex for a suspected al-Qaida cell member who assembles car bombs used in attacks within the capital city.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led forces to identify and arrest the wanted man and a suspected accomplice.

In operations Jan. 30:

– In western Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida cell member linked to the transportation of money and explosives for the terrorist organization into Abu Ghraib. Based on the results of preliminary questioning and evidence discovered at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and three suspected accomplices.

– Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings northwest of Baghdad for a suspected al-Qaida member who assists in transporting explosives into the area. After examining evidence collected at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and four suspected criminal accomplices.

– Iraq’s 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched a building northwest of Baghdad for a suspected al-Qaida member involved in coordinating bombing attacks. Preliminary interviews and evidence collected in the building led police to arrest four suspected criminal associates of the warranted man.

– Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two homes in northwestern Mosul for a suspected al-Qaida member who purchases and plants bombs within the region. During the operation, a suspect lunged for and attempted to wrestle away a security member’s firearm. Perceiving a threat to the safety of those in the room, another security team member shot the suspect. A medical technician attached to the security team was immediately called in to treat the injured man, who died at the scene. Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, forces arrested four suspected associates of the wanted man.

In operations Jan. 29:

– Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors intercepted bomb-making materials in Diyala province. Intelligence reports indicate al-Qaida planned to use the cache to build a car bomb. The Iraqi forces air assaulted into the area and quickly secured the material. Six 80-pound bags of a fertilizer-based explosive, two five-gallon cans of homemade explosives, and one grenade were seized during the operation.

– Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected terrorist cell leader in Salah ad-Din province. An Iraqi court issued the warrant for the arrest of the cell leader, who is thought to have ties to al-Qaida in Iraq. ISF believe the man is responsible for a smuggling operation and trafficking foreign fighters into Iraq. He is also accused of creating propaganda products.