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WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2010 – Iraqi special operations forces with U.S. advisors arrested four suspected terrorists wanted on warrants southeast of Baghdad today. The suspects allegedly are affiliated with an al-Qaida terrorist cell in central Iraq. They are wanted for conducting attacks against Iraqi civilians and U.S. forces, as well as training suicide bombers. Two of the suspects were women believed to be training to conduct suicide missions using car bombs. In other operations today, Iraqi security forces arrested two suspected terrorists during a combined operation in southeastern Baghdad to arrest a terrorist cell leader. The cell leader is suspected...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2010 – Combined Afghan and international security forces detained two Taliban operators and numerous suspected insurgents during operations in Afghanistan over the past two days. A combined Afghan and international security force searched a compound in Helmand province today and detained an undisclosed numbers of suspected insurgents. In Logar province last night, a security force searched a compound and captured a Taliban operator responsible for providing weapons and refuge to Taliban members. Also last night, a force searched a compound in Kandahar province and captured a Taliban operator with direct ties to several militant networks. Another insurgent...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2010 – Combined Afghan and international security forces seized multiple weapons, explosive materials, fake IDs and cell phones when detaining suspects throughout Afghanistan yesterday. In Kandahar last night, a combined force searched a compound and found a building with extensive bomb-making components, including high explosives. The security force saw evidence that some of the explosives may have been rigged to detonate. After ensuring the building was empty of all people, the combined force called in an air strike to destroy it and the explosives. In other operations yesterday: -- A security force searched a compound in Kandahar...

MOSUL, Iraq, Jan. 22, 2010 – Iraqi Security Forces arrested nine suspected terrorists today during two joint operations targeting suspected al-Qaida members in northern Iraq. An additional suspect was killed during one of the operations. Iraqi forces executed both operations with court-issued warrants. In northwestern Mosul, Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a residential building for a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq member wanted for illegally bringing hundreds of foreign fighters into Iraq. In addition, the warranted AQI member is believed to have distributed weapons and money to other terrorist-group members. Following preliminary questioning and examination of evidence at the scene,...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21, 2010 – Iraqi security forces arrested two men affiliated with al-Qaida and detained two suspects in operations over the past two days in Iraq. Forces arrested a suspected weapons and explosives operator in addition to two suspected criminal accomplices during a security operation yesterday north of Baghdad. Iraqi forces and U.S. advisors searched a home for a suspected al-Qaida member believed to have acquired weapons for the terrorist group in addition to facilitating explosive attacks within the region. After preliminary questioning and assessing the evidence at the scene, forces identified and arrested the wanted man and two...

CAPTURED PROVIDING MATERIAL SUPPORT TO A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION; CONSPIRING TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION JABER A. ELBANEH PHOTOGRAPH OF JABER A. ELBANEH PHOTOGRAPH OF JABER A. ELBANEH TAKEN IN APPROXIMATELY 2000 PHOTOGRAPH OF JABER A. ELBANEH TAKEN IN 1996 Photograph taken in approximately 2000 Photograph taken in 1996 Aliases: Jaber A. Elbanelt, Jaben A. Elbanelt, Jabor Elbaneh, Abu Jubaer, Jubaer Elbaneh, "Jubair" DESCRIPTION Date of Birth Used: September 9, 1966 Hair: Brown Place of Birth: Yemen Eyes: Brown Height: 5'8" Sex: Male Weight: 200 pounds Complexion: Unknown Build: Stocky Citizenship: Yemeni Languages: Arabic, English Scars and Marks:...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2010 – Security forces detained several suspects, including a Taliban commander and terrorist bombing cell leader, during operations over the past several days in Afghanistan, military officials reported. In an operation reported today, a combined Afghan and international security force detained two suspected insurgents after stopping a vehicle during the pursuit of a Taliban sub-commander responsible for bombing attacks in Zabul province. In operations yesterday: -- A force operating in Helmand province encountered an undisclosed number of insurgents and requested close-air support. Supporting aircraft dropped a 2,400-pound bomb on the area and suppressed the insurgent gunfire. --...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 19, 2010 – Iraqi security forces arrested more than 20 suspects during multiple combined security operations today targeting suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members around Baghdad and Mosul. In northeastern Baghdad, Iraqi soldiers arrested seven men during an operation targeting a wanted terrorism suspect. With U.S. troops advising, the Iraqi soldiers searched two homes for the suspect, who is believed to be involved in kidnappings, assassinations and bomb attacks against security forces in Baghdad. In one of the buildings, the team discovered a large bundle of electrical wiring, several handguns, ammunition and blasting caps hidden in a compartment. Preliminary...

SARGODHA, Pakistan — Five Americans being held in Pakistan on suspicion of terrorism alleged they were being tortured in comments shouted to reporters Monday as they were driven from court. Police and prison authorities denied any ill-treatment, and said the men did not bring up their complaints in court. The allegations could add to political sensitivities surrounding the case, which comes amid growing anti-American sentiment in Pakistan. Washington is also calling for the Muslim country to do more to fight al-Qaida and the Taliban.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2010 – Iraqi soldiers arrested a suspected terrorist cell member and two suspected criminal accomplices during a combined security operation Jan. 8 in northeastern Baghdad, officials reported today. The soldiers, with U.S. military advisors, searched a home for the suspected cell member, who uses homemade bombs, assault rifles, pistols and rocket-propelled grenades in attacks against security forces in Iraq. The security team found several assault rifles, two pistols and false documents at the scene of the operation. Also on Jan. 8, Iraqi forces arrested two suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members and an alleged terrorist associate during a...

TIJUANA, Mexico – Mexico has captured a kingpin accused of terrorizing his way to the top of a gang fighting for control of key U.S. drug routes — even ordering rivals dissolved in acid. Tuesday's arrest, announced by U.S. and Mexican officials, capped a series of victories in Mexico's U.S.-backed war on narcotics. Teodoro Garcia Simental, known as "El Teo," was arrested at 5 a.m. (8 a.m. EST; 1300 GMT), said Amy Roderick, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in San Diego, California. She said she had no other details. A U.S. official and a Mexican law enforcement...

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11, 2010 – Iraqi security forces arrested five suspected terrorists during operations today in Baghdad and northern Iraq, military officials said. The 44th Iraqi Army soldiers arrested a Promised Day Brigade explosives-cell member and two suspected criminal associates during a joint security operation in northeastern Baghdad. Acting on a court-issued warrant, the Iraqi soldiers with U.S. advisors searched a residential building for the suspect linked to explosive devices and rockets used in attacks against security forces in the region. The Iraqi soldiers identified and arrested the alleged terrorist and two suspected criminal associates without incident. Also today, Iraqi...

KABUL, Dec. 31, 2009 – Afghan and international security forces captured suspected militants and seized weapons in Afghanistan yesterday, military officials reported. A combined force captured suspected militants in Kandahar province while pursuing a Taliban district commander. Also in Kandahar, a combined force detained a suspected militant while searching for a Taliban commander. Meanwhile, a combined force found two 20-pound jugs of explosives in Helmand province’s Garm Ser district. The explosives were destroyed and no one was injured. In Kandahar province’s Panjwa district, a combined force discovered five artillery rounds tied together with wires in a sack. Also in the...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30, 2009 – Several militants were killed as coalition forces responded to an insurgent attack against Afghan soldiers and police in Afghanistan’s Baghlan Jadid district yesterday, military officials reported. Two Afghan National Service members were killed during the initial insurgent attack. No civilians or international forces were injured or killed. In other news, International Security Assistance Force members patrolling the Reg-e-Khan-Neshin district of Helmand province yesterday detained several suspected insurgents and confiscated weaponry. Seized items included 15 rocket-propelled grenades, three hand grenades, a machine gun with 500 rounds, six handheld radios, a satellite phone and five insurgent manuals....

WASHINGTON — Iraqi forces, aided by U.S. advisors, arrested several suspected terrorists and seized weapons in Iraq in recent days, military officials report. Iraqi Security Forces yesterday arrested 14 suspected terrorists during a series of operations conducted in northern Iraq targeting suspected al-Qaeda in Iraq members. In southwest Baghdad, ISF, aided by U.S. advisors, arrested a suspected AQI explosives operative believed to be planning and conducting homemade bomb attacks throughout Diyala province. Meanwhile, in a separate operation in Jalula, northeast of Baghdad, Iraqi and U.S. forces arrested four suspected AQI members. Also yesterday, while conducting an operation southwest of Kirkuk,...

KABUL, Dec. 29, 2009 – Afghan and international security forces captured some Taliban commanders and other suspected militants and seized weapons yesterday in Kandahar and Khowst, Afghanistan, military officials reported. The forces captured a Taliban commander believed to be responsible for homemade bomb attacks during a series of raids in Kandahar. They also detained three other suspects. Also in Kandahar, a combined force captured another Taliban commander and a small group of militants believed to be responsible for supplying weapons to insurgents. In Khowst, a combined force detained suspected militants while searching for a Haqqani terrorist network commander. No Afghan...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2009 – Iraqi forces, aided by U.S. advisors, arrested several suspected terrorists and seized weapons in recent days, military officials reported. Iraqi security forces today arrested 14 suspected terrorists during a series of operations conducted in northern Iraq targeting suspected al-Qaida in Iraq members. In southwest Baghdad, Iraqi forces, aided by U.S. advisors, arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq explosives operative believed to be planning and conducting homemade bomb attacks throughout Diyala province. Meanwhile, in a separate operation in Jalula, northeast of Baghdad, Iraqi and U.S. forces arrested four suspected al-Qaida members. Also today, while conducting an...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28, 2009 – Afghan and international security forces detained several suspected militants, including a Taliban commander, in Afghanistan in recent days, military officials reported. A combined force captured a Taliban commander and other suspected militants in Wardak yesterday. The force went to a small compound in Sayad Abad district after intelligence confirmed militant activities there. The force entered the compound and captured the Taliban commander, who identified himself and the other militants. Meanwhile, a combined force captured a Taliban facilitator and several other suspected militants in Kandahar yesterday. Elsewhere, a combined force captured a Haqqani terrorist network suicide...

Yemen has arrested 29 suspected al Qaeda members since raiding the group to foil attacks on oil installations and foreign interests including the British embassy, national security chief Ali Mohammad Al-Ansi said. Al Qaeda's presence in Yemen has grown over the past year, and Washington has said a Nigerian who tried to bomb a U.S. passenger jet on Christmas Day claimed he got help from al Qaeda militants in the impoverished Arab country. Ansi said on the defense ministry website that al Qaeda had been planning to attack Yemeni government institutions as well as the UK embassy in Sanaa. "Until...

The Taliban released a video Friday showing a U.S. soldier who was captured more than five months ago in eastern Afghanistan. Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl is the only known American serviceman in captivity. The U.S. airborne infantryman was taken by the Afghan Taliban in Paktika province on June 30.