U.S. says has captured 27 “terrorists” in raids across Iraq

Iran Focus: London, Jul. 02 – The U.S.-led military in Iraq said that it had captured 27 “suspected terrorists, including an alleged terrorist with ties to Iranian elements”, during missions conducted across Iraq Friday as part of Operation Phantom Thunder. Iran Focus

London, Jul. 02 – The U.S.-led military in Iraq said that it had captured 27 “suspected terrorists, including an alleged terrorist with ties to Iranian elements”, during missions conducted across Iraq Friday as part of Operation Phantom Thunder.

“Coalition forces detained a suspected secret cell terrorist Friday in Baghdad’s Sadr City section. It is believed the suspected terrorist has close ties to Iranian terror networks and is responsible for numerous attacks on Iraqi civilians as well as on Iraqi and Coalition forces in Baghdad”, the Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) said in a news report posted on its website on Sunday.

The detainee is also suspected of recruiting Iraqis to fill the ranks of Iranian terror groups operating in Iraq, officials said.

“Coalition troops continue to target the terrorists who bring explosively formed penetrators and other aid into Iraq”, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, an MNF-I spokesperson.

Explosively formed penetrators are sophisticated roadside bombs designed to penetrate armoured vehicles.

The Coalition launched Operation Phantom Thunder on June 15 once all “surge” troops were in place as an overall offensive against insurgents in Iraq.