Centcom Press Release - Apr 10

AIRCRAFT DROPS BOMB ON CRIMINAL MORTAR SITE
A U.S. Air Force F-16 dropped a low-yield bomb on a mortar launching site after a Multi-National observation team saw criminals emplacing mortars in the New Baghdad district at 2:30 PM on April 7th. A joint security station had reported receiving a mortar round near their location in the New Baghdad district. After a second 82 mm round impacted near the JSS, an aerial surveillance team determined the two mortars' point of origin. Iraqi Security Forces called in a U.S. Army Apache air weapons team that engaged and killed the mortar crew with a Hellfire missile. An F-16 then dropped a low-yield bomb on the mortar site. "Based on a review of the surveillance video we do not believe there were any civilian casualties as a result of this attack," said Colonel Bill Buckner.

PORT CITY OF UMQASR OPEN FOR BUSINESS
UmQasr, a port city southeast of Basra, is filled with daily activities, as Iraqi workers load export and unload imports. "The estimated flow of goods into Iraq is 60,000 tons with 15,000 passing through UmQsar," said Todd Stratton, Task Force to Support Business and Stability Operations in Iraq. "The single largest commodity is food such as wheat, rice, sugar and other food items," Stratton said. "The port is a critical gateway to supply the Iraqi nation with food imports." According to Stratton, the port has a grain silo that can process 7,500 tons a day with 5,000 tons being hauled away. "A ferry comes to Dubai a few times per week," Stratton said. Iraqi Security Forces provide a secure working environment for the Iraqi dock workers to perform their daily jobs. The refurbishment of the Passenger Hall at the port is nearing completion, and will soon be fully-operational for passengers and merchants alike.

CAPTURED TRAFFICKERS OF DRUGS & ARMS ID'D
Coalition forces have identified two extremists who were captured on March 11th during an operation to degrade Taliban weapons-facilitation networks in Helmand province. The extremists, identified as Sadullah and Abdul Khaliq, were apprehended in the Garmsir District outside a compound used to produce opium and store heavy weapons and explosives. Sadullah, 60, was among a group of armed militants who fired on Coalition forces in Garmsir when he was captured. After being detained, Sadullah admitted financing anti-government activities through opium and arms trafficking. Khaliq, 47, helped procure weapons for the Taliban and is a known narcotics trafficker. During questioning, Khaliq admitted to dealing with a Taliban leader up to the day he was apprehended.