BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BNO NEWS) – Fourteen suspected terrorists in Iraq were arrested between Tuesday and Wednesday, U.S. Forces in Iraq announced today.

Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) detained the suspects during four joint security operations performed in Baghdad and northern Iraq with the objective to continuously cut down on operations led by the terrorist network al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI).

ISF arrested a terrorist-cell leader, who is believed to be closely linked with important AQI members in Baghdad and a suspected criminal associate in northwest Baghdad Tuesday. The cell leader is also presumed to be involved in the planning of improvised explosive device (IED) attacks, in an effort to disrupt the Iraqi forces, as well as the national election process.

Tuesday, ISF and U.S. advisors searched for a terrorist suspect who, along with AQI, develops and employs IEDs to attack security forced in Iraq and hides illegal weapons. The search was carried out in various residential building where an IED arming device and fake official documents were found, during a second security operation that was conducted in southwest Baghdad.

After gathering evidence and information during the operation, ISF arrested the suspect and nine others.

Further security operations were conducted Wednesday in Al Muqdadiyah and in the town of Sulayman Bak. The 3rd Emergency Response Unit and U.S. advisors searched buildings for a suspected AQI-cell leader and a suspected member of an AQI-attack. Iraqi Police were able to detain associates of the suspect.

U.S. Forces in Iraq continue to work together with local authorities in their efforts to restore security in Iraq.