13 terrorists detained, Iraqi citizens help find weapons

Blackanthem.com, BAGHDAD, Iraq, April 25, 2005

Task Force Baghdad Soldiers detained 13 suspected terrorists, including a woman allegedly tied to al-Qaeda terrorist leader Abu Musab-al-Zarqawi, during operations conducted April 22.

An Iraqi citizen saved the lives of Soldiers and civilians in west Baghdad by pointing out an improvised explosive device to a Task Force Baghdad unit before terrorists could detonate the bomb. An explosives team called to the site determined that the device was an anti-tank round and safely disposed of it.

Later in the day, local Iraqi citizens in the Salman Pak area turned a weapons cache over to Iraqi Police officers. The Iraqis turned in 30 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 50 mortar rounds, 100 fuses, 100 feet of detonation cord and TNT to the Iraqi Police.

“A lot more people want to rebuild Iraq than want to tear it apart,” said Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Task Force Baghdad spokesperson. “The Iraqi people are fed up and are turning against terrorists and terrorist acts more and more.”

Task Force Baghdad Soldiers, working with the Iraqi Police near Salman Pak found a weapons cache with 200 mortar rounds. The Iraqi Police secured the area to allow explosives experts to look for more weapons that may be buried at the site.

In south Baghdad, U.S. Soldiers found another weapons cache consisting of 12 artillery rounds, 20 mortar rounds and 1,000 feet of wire. An explosive ordnance team safely destroyed the munitions.

“All residents who have information about terrorist activity in their neighborhoods are encouraged to help Iraqi Security Forces rid the streets of crime by calling or emailing the TIPS hotline,” said Kent.

To report terrorist activities, e-mail baghdadtipshotline@yahoo.com or call one of the TIPS hotlines at 07901737723 or 7901737727.