MNFI Press Release - Jul 18

CITIZEN TIPS LEAD ISF, MND-B SOLDIERS TO CACHES, SUSPECT
While investigating tips from concerned Iraqi citizens, Soldiers from MultiNational Division – Baghdad (MND-B) and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) seized multiple caches and detained a suspected criminal leader in the Rashid District of southern Baghdad on July 17th-18th. After receiving a tip from an Iraqi citizen, Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 4th Infantry Division (ID), discovered (6) 81 mm mortar rounds while searching a neighborhood at approximately 5:15 p.m. on July 17th, in the Saha community of southeastern Baghdad. Two hours later, the same unit, working with Iraqi National Police (INP) from the 6th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, recovered an explosively formed projectile (EFP) in the stairwell of an apartment building in the same neighborhood. The munitions were turned over to an explosives ordnance disposal unit.

Soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID, detained a suspected criminal cell leader at approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 17th, in the southern Jihad community of the Rashid district. In the Saydiyah community of southeastern Baghdad, Soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID, working with INPs from the 2nd Brigade, 1st NP Division, discovered an anti-tank mine at approximately 1:15 a.m. on July 18th, while acting on information provided by concerned local citizens. “The concerned Iraqi people are just as much a part of the security process as the ISF or the Coalition force,” said Major Dave Olson, 1st BCT Spokesman, 4th ID. “MND-B Soldiers and the ISF would not be as effective without their efforts to assist us in removing these suspected criminals from the streets of Baghdad.”

COALITION TARGETS SUSPECTED SPECIAL GROUP FINANCIER
Coalition forces captured five suspected Special Groups criminals during operations early Friday morning in the Adhamiyah section of Baghdad. Based on intelligence information, Coalition forces targeted the location of a suspected financier of Iranian-sponsored Special Groups operations. According to previously captured Special Groups criminals, he is the paying agent for operations revolving around the criminals’ propaganda activities. These propaganda activities are aimed at collecting payments for attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces, as well as trying to win support for their crimes. Coalition forces approached the targeted individual’s location about three kilometers northwest of Sadr City, where they captured (3) suspected Special Groups criminals. Forces moved to another location in the same neighborhood where they captured an additional (2) suspected outlaws without incident

IRAQI CITIZENS, ISV TAKE WEAPONS OFF STREETS
An Iraqi citizen and Iraqi Security Volunteers (ISV) assisted soldiers from MultiNational Division - Baghdad in the recovery of two separate weapons caches on July 15th-16th in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad. At approximately 10:15 p.m. on July 15th, soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID reported that a group of ISV members handed over (10) mortar fuses to a combat outpost in the Aamel community. Acting on a tip from an Iraqi citizen, soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID, discovered three rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) at approximately 11:45 a.m. on July 16th, in the Hadar neighborhood. An explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) unit hauled the munitions to a Coalition forces base for destruction. “The 1st Brigade Soldiers interact daily with the Iraqi citizens of the Rashid district,” said Major Dave Olson, 1st BCT Spokesman, 4th ID, MND-B. “As part of Operation Nor’easter, we continue to provide a safe environment for the citizens of Iraq.”

INP, MND-B SOLDIERS FIND WEAPONS IN BAGHDAD
Iraqi National Police (INP) and MultiNational Division - Baghdad (MND-B) soldiers seized weapons caches as they continued conducting operations to increase security in Baghdad on July 17th. Police from the 2nd Brigade, 1st National Police Division seized (1) 60 mm mortar round with a hand grenade plastered to it, several 115 mm tank rounds and 125 mm rounds, (1) 155 mm round, and (2) six-inch EFPs in the Al Zahour area of Baghdad at approximately 11:45 a.m. Later, soldiers with the 1st BCT, 4th ID, found (7) 81 mm mortar rounds in East Rashid at approximately 5:15 p.m. Soldiers with 1st BCT, 4th ID, also found (1) eight-inch copper EFP, an improvised claymore device, and (200) 7.62 rounds in the East Rashid area of Baghdad at approximately 6:10 p.m. Lastly, Soldiers with the 2nd Stryker BCT, 25th ID, received from a concerned Iraqi civilian (3) 120 mm rounds, and (12) 57 mm projectiles north of Baghdad at approximately 4:15 p.m.