BAGHDAD, March 7 (KUNA) -- US-led coalition forces killed eight terrorists and detained 17 suspected terrorists Thursday during operations to disrupt al-Qaeda networks operating in central Iraq, a US military statement said on Friday.
The statement said coalition forces conducted an operation targeting the alleged al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) leader in the Kanan village, northeast of Samarra near the Hamrin Mountains today.
The targeted individual is reportedly associated with numerous AQI members in the region, the statement added.
During the operation, the ground force called for the occupants of several target buildings to come out and observed them attempting to engage the ground force, the statement said.
The statement noted coalition forces responded to the threat, killing four terrorists, including the wanted individual.
The ground force secured the building where the wanted individual was located and discovered a cache of Urea, a common precursor for homemade explosive materials, the statement explained.
During two additional coordinated operations in Samarra, coalition forces detained three suspected terrorists, including two wanted individuals. (end) ahh.mb KUNA 071953 Mar 08NNNN