State Department disrupts Iraqi terror attacks

The State Department said on Friday it had information that Iraqi intelligence officers planned terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in two foreign countries. In both cases, the operatives were arrested, terrorist material was confiscated and attacks were not carried out, spokesman Richard Boucher said. The United States has asked a number of countries to expel suspected Iraqi intelligence officers based on “the significant threat posed by their presence,” Boucher said. He declined to identify the two countries in the alleged terror plots. One of the countries is on the Arabian peninsula, said a U.S. counterterrorism official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Officers in the Iraqi intelligence service remain a threat because of their history of support for terrorism,” said spokesman Boucher. “The United States will continue to monitor this situation and work with our partners and allies to ensure the safety of American citizens and facilities overseas.” Full Story