Forces Capture Suspected al Qaeda Commander, Detain 11 Others in Iraq

American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2007 - Coalition forces captured a wanted individual and detained 11 others today during an operation in support of ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.

The captured suspect is a "special groups" commander with close ties to several other criminal organization members. Intelligence reports further indicate the suspect conducted multiple types of criminal operations in the Khalis and Qasirin areas. The suspected criminal appears to be directly linked to providing lethal weapons used against coalition and Iraqi security forces and innocent civilians, officials said.