The U.S. military said it has captured four people suspected of involvement in the Monday suicide attack that killed five soldiers and their interpreter in central Baghdad.
The military said in a statement that the four were positively identified for their alleged involvement in the attack.
The arrests were made Tuesday in the Mansour district of Baghdad, officials said.
“The detention was based on another Iraqi civilian who gave U.S. soldiers four names and a location,” Maj. Mark Cheadle, a spokesman with the 4th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division—Baghdad, said in an e-mail.
“We are exploring/investigating the possibilities of connection to terrorist activity. I can tell you they remain in the custody of Coalition Forces until such time as a full determination is made. We are running that to ground and will process those detained accordingly.”
The operation to capture the men was led by soldiers from the 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, officials said.
“Every time a soldier completes a mission, they feel a sense of pride at performing their duty,” Cheadle said. “But in a case like this, it is probably safe to say bringing those involved in the attack to justice will hit closer to home. The professionalism displayed by this unit is representative of all the units in MND-B.”
Cheadle also said there are “strong indicators” that the attack was conducted by members of al-Qaida in Iraq.
“The complete disregard for innocent civilian life, committing suicide while killing others and conducting sensational attacks to gain media splash to further their information campaign are all traits of this enemy,” he said.
According to U.S. and Iraqi officials, the Monday attack took place when the soldiers were talking with shopkeepers in a Baghdad market. A suicide bomber wearing an explosives-laden vest detonated the bomb after approaching the soldiers.
Three other soldiers and four Iraqi civilians were wounded in the blast.
It was the first in a series of deadly attacks that caused at least seven other U.S. casualties this week.
“Our resolve to protect the Iraqi people and to bring these murderers to justice is unwavering,” Col. Allen Batschelet, chief of staff of Multi-National Division—Baghdad, said.
“We mourn the loss of our fellow soldiers. We pray for their families and for those who were wounded in the attack.
“Our soldiers, all volunteers, are committed and, along with their families, sacrifice daily for the brighter future of the Iraqi people.”
