Iraqi security forces arrested four suspected al-Qaida in Iraq criminal associates during separate combined security operations in central and southern Iraq yesterday, military officials reported.

Iraqi forces working with U.S., advisors arrested three suspected criminal associates south of Baghdad while searching for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who allegedly is involved in bombing attacks against civilians and Iraqi and coalition forces.

During another operation in Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader who allegedly is involved in high-profile vehicle-bomb attacks and has ties to senior the terror organization’s leadership. Information and evidence gathered at the scene led Iraqi forces to identify and arrest a criminal associate of the wanted man.

Iraqi police arrested three suspected terrorists, two of whom are believed to be al-Qaida in Iraq leaders, in two March 13 operations, military officials reported.

In Tarmiyah, north of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched two buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader who allegedly provides financial support, explosives and weapons to numerous terrorist cells operating in the region.

The building in which the wanted individual was found also contained a hidden room where the security team discovered several AK-47 assault rifles and cases of ammunition.

After conducting preliminary questioning and examining the evidence collected at the scene, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and a suspected criminal associate.

During a second operation in southwestern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected mid-level al-Qaida in Iraq leader who is believed to have helped in planning past high-profile vehicle-bomb attacks in the Iraqi capital. Information and evidence gathered during the operation led Iraqi security forces to identify and arrest the wanted man.

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.

The nation’s highest court will hear a case that may redefine the difference between humanitarian aid and aiding and abetting terrorist groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and Tamil Tigers.

The Humanitarian Law Project, a left-wing special interest group, contesting part of federal law that prohibits “material support” to terrorists and nations such as Iran.

Dick Morris says that Barack Obama erroneously makes anti-terror investigators – not terrorists – the objects of government scrutiny. Not to mention that Obama doesn’t have the stomach to face down rogue nations. Where I come from, they would call the POTUS a p—-.

Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors have arrested more than two dozen suspected terrorists and killed others during a series of operations in the past two days to break up terrorist groups in Iraq, military officials reported.

In the largest sweep, Iraqi Forces today arrested 22 suspected terrorists with the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah group during operations with U.S. forces targeting a weapons-smuggling and rocket-attack network operating in rural villages southeast of Baghdad near the Iranian border.

An unknown number of suspected Kataib Hezbollah terrorists were killed during the operation, officials said.

Intelligence reports led Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors to the village of Ali ash Sharqi, 160 miles southeast of Baghdad, in search of weapons caches and smugglers loyal to Kataib Hezbollah.

While approaching the village, the team was fired upon by people dispersed in several homes. Members of the team returned fire, killing the perpetrators. Local authorities transported the bodies to an Iraqi medical facility in the area. While the number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, officials said, initial reports indicate five people were killed.

During the engagement, one suspect fled on foot, but was apprehended in a nearby field. The suspect suffered injuries while fleeing and was evacuated to a nearby medical facility for treatment.

The team continued the operation and arrested 12 suspected Kataib Hezbollah terrorists believed to be smuggling and stockpiling Iranian-made weapons near homes in Ali ash Sharqi.

In Ali al Gharbi, a village 145 miles southeast of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched with warrants for members of Kataib Hezbollah who conduct assassinations, extort civilians and local Iraqi businesses, and transport weapons from Iran into southern Iraq.

They searched several homes and found electric circuits used to detonate improvised explosive devices, several assault rifles and military equipment. Iraqi forces arrested 10 suspected Kataib Hezbollah weapons smugglers believed involved in rocket attacks against security forces.

Iraqi and U.S. intelligence indicates a recent increase in smuggling by members of Kataib Hezbollah, who then stockpile weapons and explosives in Iraqi communities for future attacks.

Kataib Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for rocket attacks aimed at security forces working to secure populated areas. Combined security operations today along the Iranian border were expected to disrupt Kataib Hezbollah’s efforts to transport rockets, explosives and other weapons into Iraq, officials said.

In other operations in Iraq, Iraqi forces arrested five suspected terrorists today during two operations in northern Iraq targeting two al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cell leaders.

In Rashidiyah, five miles northwest of Mosul, a combined team searched a home for a suspected leader of an al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cell that carries out attacks throughout the region. Based on evidence and information gathered during the operation, Iraqi forces arrested three suspected criminal associates of the wanted man.

In an operation in Baqouba, 32 miles northeast of Baghdad, the Iraqi 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched two homes for a wanted al-Qaida in Iraq leader in Diyala province. The terrorist group is responsible for IED attacks, assassinations and kidnappings in the area.

Information gathered at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest two suspected criminal associates of the wanted terrorist.

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.