Update on Iraq

Iraqi, Coalition Forces Capture Dozens of Suspected Militants
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2004 -- Military operations by Iraqi security and coalition forces in Baghdad and Mosul, Iraq, netted more than 30 suspected militants over the past 48 hours, military officials in Baghdad reported.
Today south of Baghdad, Iraqi security forces and U.S. Marines rounded up 15 suspected militants, part of a weeklong offensive aimed at ridding northern Babil province of insurgents.
In Mosul, U.S. soldiers from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), detained 17 people suspected of anti-Iraqi activities during operations there Nov. 30.
During military operations in Baghdad, Iraqi National Guardsmen, backed by elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, detained three men during an early-morning raid near Lutafiyah. Several hours later, Iraqi National Guard troops captured two suspected militants near Mahmudiyah.
Meanwhile, military officials say, Marines are continuing military efforts to quell insurgent activity in Baghdad. Today Marines detained 10 suspects during five separate missions, bringing the number of detainees to 210 since this operation began just before Nov. 25.
Military officials also reported that a would-be terrorist attempting to plant a roadside bomb was killed when one of the two mortar rounds he was using exploded prematurely.
Elsewhere in Iraq, U.S. soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment detained six people during military operations east of Mosul.
Military officials said those detained were wanted for planning and conducting anti-Iraqi activities and that one of the detainees was a "known financier" of those activities.
In southeast Mosul, Iraqi police fought off a group of insurgents that attacked their station with small arms, forcing the attackers to flee. Multinational Force soldiers quickly responded and detained six suspects in that attack.
West of Mosul, U.S. soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment detained two people for anti-Iraqi activities at a traffic control point. A search of the individuals' vehicle turned up one sniper rifle, ammunition and a large sum of money.
Military officials also reported that soldiers from 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment detained two people suspected of anti-Iraqi activities.
The two were taken into custody after bomb-making tools, empty artillery shells, and numerous intelligence documents that included bomb-making equipment lists were confiscated from their residence.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)