MNFI Press Release - Apr 22

MULTINATIONAL SOLDIERS CAPTURE SUSPECT IN ABU GHRAIB
Elements from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment (2nd SCR), "Gimlets" detained a suspected criminal in the Abu Ghraib area west of Baghdad on April 22nd. This suspected criminal is believed to be involved with the making of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and attacks on Iraqi Army and Coalition forces. "The streets are safer with these criminals in custody, and contributes to improving security in Abu Ghraib," said Maj. John Pendell, spokesman for 2nd SCR. "Due to its proximity to major highways and to northeastern Baghdad, security and stability in Abu Ghraib allows the economy and quality of life for local residents to improve," Pendell said.

SOI MEMBER LEADS SOLDIERS TO EFP CACHE
A member of the Sons of Iraq (SOI) led Multinational Soldiers of 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment to a weapons cache containing two explosively-formed projectiles (EFPs) near Jisr Diyala, Iraq, on April 21st. One of the EFPs had a makeshift stand for adjusting elevation. Both EFPs were turned over to an explosive ordnance disposal team for further exploitation.

MULTINATIONAL SOLDIERS DISCOVER WEAPONS CACHE
Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment discovered a weapons cache in Yusifiyah, Iraq, on April 21st. The cache included (34) rocket-propelled grenade rounds, an AK-47 and one box of PKC rounds. The contents of the cache were destroyed by an explosive ordnance disposal team.

MULTINATIONAL SOLDIERS KILL 6 INSURGENTS IN FIRE FIGHT
Multinational Soldiers killed six insurgents in a fire fight near a mosque in Kalaf Al-Hasun village, in Diyala province on April 21st. During a cordon and search of the village, approximately 20 km southeast of Hamrin Lake, a truck loaded with several personnel carrying AK-47s and rocket-propelled grenade launchers approached the position of 4th Platoon, Troop F, 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. The Soldiers fired a warning shot to halt the vehicle. The personnel in the truck fired on them. The Soldiers returned fire on the vehicle, and the passengers ran into nearby buildings, including a nearby mosque. Two individuals appeared from the courtyard of the mosque and assumed a kneeling position as if to surrender. As a dismounted element approached the two individuals to detain them, numerous enemy riflemen ambushed the Soldiers from a nearby house with AK-47s and grenades. The two Soldiers were wounded; one by shrapnel from a grenade and the other from four rifle rounds. The Soldiers immediately returned fire in the direction of the house, killing six. Initial reports indicate the mosque was not damaged.

"This incident is a great example of our Soldiers' use of restraint when using deadly force," said Maj. Mike Garcia, spokesmen for Coalition forces in Diyala province. "It appears the enemy used the mosque to initiate a false surrender in order to lure our Soldiers into an ambush from enemy fire coming from the surrounding buildings. Despite this blatant use of a holy place to facilitate their attack, our Soldiers did not enter or fire on the mosque," Garcia said. Three suspects were also detained in the incident. The wounded Soldiers are in stable condition and are expected to be returned to duty.

IRAQI NATIONAL POLICE PRESSURE ENEMY ACTIVITY
Iraqi National Police (INP) from the 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 2nd INP Division, working in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, seized a weapons cache and detained a suspected criminal during a security patrol on April 20th. Conducting simultaneous raids at two different sites, the INP officers captured two heavy machine guns with 1,800 rounds, a sniper rifle and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, and detained a suspected criminal operating in the Risalah neighborhood of West Rashid. Iraqi Security Forces such as these conduct daily patrols and security operations for the Government of Iraq in support of the Baghdad Security Plan to maintain levels of security for the 1.2 million Iraqis living in southern Baghdad. Iraqi Army soldiers of 1st Battalion, 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, also detained two suspected criminals during an early morning operation in the Saydiyah community of Rashid.