Iraq Dragnet Snags 18 Suspects; Detainee Dies at Hospital
American Forces Press Service


WASHINGTON, April 25, 2005 – Coalition forces captured 18 suspected terrorists during a search-and-seizure operation conducted April 22-24 in Babil province, Iraq. Elsewhere, a security detainee died at a U.S. military hospital.
Operation Philadelphia, which concluded April 24, was conducted to prevent terrorists from mounting attacks in Multinational Division Central-South’s area of operations and to secure stability for Iraqis living in Babil province.

Eighteen people were detained as a result of the operation, including one person on a list of wanted terrorists who’d previously attacked coalition forces. More than four hundred coalition soldiers participated in the operation.

Also in Iraq, a 20-year-old security detainee was receiving medical care at the U.S. 115th Field Hospital when he died April 24. The detainee died of complications resulting from gunshot wounds received two weeks ago while engaging coalition forces.

The detainee’s remains will be transferred to his family after an autopsy is completed. An autopsy is standing procedure for all detainees who die in Multinational Force Iraq custody.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq press