"This operation targets Al Qaida and Baathists in the city and those
collaborating with them," Iraqi Defense Ministry spokesman Mohammed Al
Askari said.
In a briefing on Oct. 3, Al Askari said the Defense Ministry and
Interior Ministry were cooperating in Nineveh Wall. He said soldiers and
police were deployed around Mosul to prevent Al Qaida operatives from
escaping.
Officials said the counter-insurgency operation was based on precise
intelligence regarding the identity and whereabouts of senior Al Qaida
agents. They said the operation was being directed from the Nineveh
operation command center, staffed with Iraqi and U.S. military personnel.
At this point, about 150 Al Qaida operatives and Saddam agents were
captured. They said another 100 targets were still being sought in the Mosul
area, regarded as a leading stronghold of the Sunni insurgency.
Two of the detainees were identified as leading Al Qaida fugitives.
Mohammed Al Juwali was identified as a planner of car bombings in Baghdad
that targeted the government and security forces. Al Juwali, also known as
Abu Anas, has been suspected of the Aug. 19 attacks on the Finance Ministry
and Foreign Ministry.
"Abu Anas was planning future VBIED [vehicle-borne improvised explosive
device] attacks in Baghdad, threatening government of Iraq institutions and
security personnel," the U.S. military said.
Another detainee was identified as Khalid Al Juwali, captured in a town
near Kirkuk. Khalid was said to have been working with Al Qaida car bombing
cells in the Kirkuk province.
"Iraqi security forces are making a concerted effort to identify,
locate, and arrest members of VBIED networks throughout the country,
ultimately increasing security and safety for all its citizens," the U.S.
military said.