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.

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 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 forces working with U.S. advisors arrested numerous suspected terrorists and seized enemy weapons in various operations in Iraq in recent days.

Iraqi forces arrested 11 suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members — including the suspected commander and two deputies of their cell — in a rural area northwest of Baghdad today.

The cell is believed to be responsible for maintaining weapons caches and carrying out deadly attacks against civilians and security forces. During a search, the security team found a shotgun, numerous assault rifles, packaging material used to transport explosives, a small rocket and terrorist propaganda.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to identify and arrest all five cell members wanted on their arrest warrant, including the suspected commander and deputies, as well as six suspected criminal accomplices.

Iraqi security forces arrested two suspected terrorists Feb. 7 during a combined operation in northeastern Mosul to capture a military commander for the Ansar al-Islam terrorist group. A suspected terrorist was killed during the operation.

Acting on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi forces and and U.S. advisors stopped two vehicles to arrest the Ansar al-Islam military commander, whose group fabricates mobile rockets and improvised explosive devices frequently used in attacks against security forces in the region.

The suspected terrorist in the first vehicle was questioned, identified as a suspected criminal accomplice of the warranted individual, and arrested without incident.

After the security team stopped the second vehicle, the driver pulled a pistol from behind his back and pointed it toward security team members. Members of the security team engaged and killed him.

Following the vehicle stops, the security team searched a building from which the suspected terrorists had driven their vehicles — a location confirmed by several previously arrested al-Qaida in Iraq members. The security team found a large cache of weapons and munitions.

The contents of the cache included 20 shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles, several machine guns and assault rifles, other assault weapons, several sniper rifles, rockets and rocket parts, mortar tubes and mortar rounds, mines, IED-making material, a robot that can be used to remotely transport IEDs, body armor, license plates and night-vision devices.

A man found in the building containing the weapons cache was arrested as a suspected criminal accomplice of the warranted Ansar al-Islam commander.

North of Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi forces arrested six suspected terrorists during two combined security operations north of Baghdad designed to capture two terrorist-group leaders.

In a rural area located north of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader linked to numerous criminal activities, including providing financial support and weapons to terrorist group members and conducting IED attacks.

Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi forces to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the wanted individual.

During a separate security operation in a rural area north of Baghdad, the Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a suspected leader of the Salahuddin Brigade insurgency group, which is responsible for multiple rocket and IED attacks against security forces in the area. Evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest five suspected criminal associates of the wanted individual.

On Feb. 7, Iraqi forces with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected Islamic State of Iraq terrorist group cell leader in the Sharqat district of Salahuddin province. An Iraqi court issued an arrest warrant for the suspect, who is accused of facilitating the movement and transportation of magnetically attached bombs used in attacks on Iraqi forces.

Also on Feb. 7, Iraqi forces captured a suspected Baghdad explosives-cell member and arrested four other suspected terrorists during combined operations near Baghdad and Mosul to disrupt the operations of al-Qaida in Iraq explosives cells.

In the town of Hamariyah, west of Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for a man believed to be responsible for preparing vehicle-borne IEDs used in various deadly attacks throughout Baghdad.

Following preliminary questioning and evidence collection, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two suspected criminal accomplices.

During a separate operation in Bawirah, north of Mosul, Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors searched a building for a member of an al-Qaida in Iraq bombing cell that is active in northern Mosul. Evidence found in the building included an assault rifle, two pistols and ammunition.

Based on the results of preliminary questioning, the Iraqi soldiers arrested two suspected criminal associates of the wanted individual.

In a Feb. 6 operation, and Iraqi emergency response unit arrested a suspected terrorist in a rural area northeast of Baghdad.

Based on a warrant issued by an Iraqi court, Iraqi police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings in the Hamrin Lake area to arrest a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member. Preliminary questioning and evidence collected at the scene led Iraqi police to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the warranted individual.

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.

Iraqi forces, with U.S. advisors, in recent days arrested 20 people suspected of terrorist activities in Iraq, military officials reported.

Iraqi soldiers today arrested a suspected terrorist during a combined security operation in northeastern Baghdad targeting a suspected member of a Kataib Hezbollah terrorist network cell.

Iraqi soldiers and U.S. advisors acted upon a court-issued warrant to search two buildings for a suspected Kataib Hezbollah member wanted for rocket and mortar attacks in the capital city. Evidence discovered at the scene led the soldiers to arrest a suspected criminal associate of the warranted man.

Yesterday, Iraqi police arrested three suspected terrorists during a combined security operation targeting a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq bomb-cell member about 15 miles south of Mosul.

Acting on a court-issued warrant, the police and U.S. advisors searched several buildings for the suspected terrorist, who’s wanted for staging deadly vehicle-borne bomb attacks against security forces in Mosul.

After questioning people and assessing evidence at the scene, the police arrested three suspected criminal associates of the warranted al-Qaida in Iraq member.

On Jan. 10, Iraqi forces arrested 11 suspected terrorists during three combined operations in Baghdad and northern Iraq to arrest several suspected members of al-Qaida in Iraq.

In southeastern Baghdad, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who works directly for the leadership of the terrorist group and maintains a network of safe houses for other terrorists in the area.

Based on preliminary questioning and other evidence collected at the scene, Iraqi forces identified and arrested the targeted man, as well as six suspected criminal associates, without incident.

During a separate security operation in Beiji, southwest of Kirkuk, an Iraqi emergency response unit and U.S. advisors searched a building for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member who coordinates suicide-vest attacks in the region. The unit arrested four suspected criminal associates of the suspected terrorist without incident.