Iraqi Security Forces seize terror suspects, weapons 

Blackanthem.com, BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 8, 2005

Iraqi Security Forces captured 14 suspected terrorists, found two weapons caches and saved the lives of Multi-national forces and innocent civilians when they stopped an attempted car bombing here.

Iraqi Police officers on patrol in the Wehda district of central Baghdad spotted a dark blue Hyundai with the windows blow out. The police investigated and found explosives in the car. The police cordoned off the area and an Iraqi explosives team arrived on the scene to dispose of the bomb.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Iraqi Army Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division conducted a sweep for weapons caches and anti-Iraqi forces in the Harbiya district of central Baghdad. In a little over an hour the Iraqi Soldiers detained 10 suspects and found a weapons cache of 50 rocket propelled grenades, three rocket propelled grenade launchers and four types of explosives. The suspects and weapons were taken into custody. 

“The capabilities of Iraqi Security Forces speak for themselves,” said Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Task Force Baghdad spokesperson. “Iraqis are stepping forward to serve in the security forces and going on the offensive to take back their country.”

Iraqi Army and Task Force Baghdad Soldiers found four armor piercing rocket propelled grenade rounds while conducting a joint patrol in southwest Baghdad. The rounds were concealed by a light cover of soil. 

When the Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers investigated further, they detained three suspects at the site and found a weapons cache containing over 5,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, two rockets and detonation cord. The Soldiers also found initiators, remote detonation devices, wire and cordless phones which could be used to detonate bombs. The three suspects were taken into custody for questioning.

In combat operations in west Baghdad, Task Force Baghdad Soldiers patrolling in west Baghdad noticed a local national acting suspiciously prior to entering a house in the Ghazaliya district. The patrol entered the house and found a weapons cache consisting of 25 feet of detonation cord, two nine volt batteries and three hand grenades. The Soldiers also took the local national into custody for questioning. 

Another U.S. unit in west Baghdad also found a weapons cache hidden in a warehouse in the Ameriyah neighborhood. The Soldiers found 36 AK-47 assault rifles, a bullet riddled car, four vests and 12 radios.

Later in the day, an Iraqi civilian provided information to U.S. Soldiers which led to the capture of a terrorist specifically targeted for engaging Coalition forces with sniper fire. 

By Task Force Baghdad PAO