May 18, 2007

Rashid Clearing Continues: Combined Force Seizes Caches, Detains Insurgents

Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
RELEASE No. 20070516-05

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Security Forces, along with Coalition Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad continued clearing operations in southwestern Baghdad neighborhoods May 14 and 15, detaining two suspects believed to be involved in anti-coalition activities and seizing seven caches containing explosively-formed projectiles, artillery and mortar shells, weapons and other bomb-making materials.

Soldiers from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, along with national police and Iraqi Army troops, continued Operation Dragon Fire/Arrowhead Strike 10 to rid the Rashid District of southwestern Baghdad of terrorists and criminals and protect the population.

Iraqi Army troops from the 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division and Company A, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment “Black Lions” found six EFP arrays, as well as multiple caches of weapons and munitions in two houses located in the Amel neighborhood. In addition to the EFPs, 82mm mortar rounds, rockets, rocket-propelled grenade warheads and an anti-tank missile were found and disposed of by explosive ordnance disposal teams.

Stryker troops arrested two individuals at the residence where one cache was found, and turned them over to Iraqi National Police for questioning. The cache included 75 57mm anti-aircraft rounds and more than 50 pounds of explosives. The munitions and explosives were confiscated and disposed of by EOD.

Five other caches consisted of numerous AK-47 assault rifles, several machine guns and sniper rifles, small arms ammunition, assorted artillery and mortar shells and other bomb-making materials.

The two days of operations included approximately 250 Iraqi Army and Iraqi National Police working with more than 800 U.S. Army Soldiers to keep pressure on against the extremist elements.

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