Coalition forces discover execution site in Iraq

MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ PRESS DESK

BAGHDAD, Iraq

http://www.mnf-iraq.com703.343.8790
Aug 25, 2007
Release A070825a

Execution site discovered, eight suspects detained

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition Forces uncovered a terrorist execution siteand a building suspected of being a car bomb factory during an operationAug. 21-23 south of Baghdad.

As Coalition Forces entered the Arab Jabour area, they immediatelyreceived small arms fire. The assault force returned fire, killing oneterrorist.During the 24-hour operation, Coalition Forces discovered an area usedby terrorists as an execution and dumping site. The ground forces foundhuman skulls, decomposing bodies and bones wrapped in bloody clothes.

Wild dogs were rampant around the area, which was characterized by acrater where most of the human remains were dumped. Inside a nearbybuilding, the ground forces found blood spatter and other signsindicating executions had taken place there. In another building,Coalition Forces found several improvised explosive devices in the areaand a weapons cache that included trigger wires.

Intelligence reports indicate that al-Qaeda in Iraq operates in the area, and weapons caches in the area contain materials used in theBaghdad car-bombing network. Local Iraqis helped Coalition Forces find a stash of homemade explosives and a building that was suspected of being a car bomb factory. Inside the compound, the ground forces foundnumerous items used to make and mix homemade explosives for use in carbombs. An air strike destroyed the explosives cache. Eight suspectedterrorists were detained during the operation for their association withal-Qaeda in Iraq and conducting terrorist activities in the Arab Jabour region.

"Al-Qaeda in Iraq members are ruthless terrorists who brutalize,torture, and murder innocent Iraqis in their campaign of senselessterror," said Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, MNF-I spokesperson. "We willcontinue to hunt down and kill or capture these brutal terrorists whoseek to deny Iraqis a future of their choice."

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE MNF-I PRESS DESK at:

MNFIPressdesk@iraq.centcom.mil

FOR THIS PRESS RELEASE AND OTHERS VISIT WWW.MNF-IRAQ.COM

Cutlines:
Patrol: Coalition Force Soldiers move to the next targeted al-Qaeda inIraq operating location with two detained suspected terrorists during operations in the Arab Jabour region. (Photo by: USAF Staff Sgt. JorgeA. Rodriguez)
IED materials: Coalition Force Soldiers uncover homemade explosivemaking equipment in a warehouse known to be used by al-Qaeda in Iraqterrorists operating in the Arab Jabour region of Iraq.
(Photo by: USAFStaff Sgt. Jorge A. Rodriguez)Cache destroyed: Coalition Forces destroy three buildings that had beenused by al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists to make homemade explosives in theArab Jabour region of Iraq. (USAF photo by: Staff Sgt. Jorge A.Rodriguez)