MNFI Press Release - Jul 26

IA, MND-B SOLDIERS SEIZE WEAPONS IN BAGHDAD
Iraq Army (IA) and MultiNational Division – Baghdad (MND-B) Soldiers discovered weapons caches as they continued operations to increase security in Baghdad on July 25th. Soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 25th Infantry Division (ID) found (1) 155 mm mortar round and (2) 120 mm rounds north of Baghdad at approximately 1:10 p.m. Later, Soldiers with the 2nd SBCT, 25th ID, found (5) rocket propelled grenade rounds, (1) RPG launcher and (1) 155 mm mortar round north of Baghdad at approximately 1:50 p.m. The same Soldiers also found a separate cache in the same area containing (6) 85 mm mortars, (4) 60 mm mortars, (1) 122 mm projectile, (3) fuses, (1) RPG launcher, (6) AK-47 magazines, more than (25) loose 7.62 mm rounds and various bomb-making materials. At approximately 5:30 p.m., Soldiers with the 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division found (3) rocket launch tubes in the Kadamiyah district of Baghdad.

MND-B SOLDIERS SEARCH FOR IRAM FACILITIES, MATERIALS
MND-B Soldiers conducted a presence patrol in northwest Baghdad on July 21st. The patrol focused on disrupting the manufacturing of improvised rocket assisted mortars (IRAMs). They also worked with the local population to provide humanitarian assistance and security. Soldiers with 3rd BCT, 4th ID, searched and cleared a warehouse facility next to Sadr City looking for IRAM making materials. These Soldiers spoke to locals and assessed their needs and concerns. “There are lots of displaced families in this area who fled the violence and oppression inflicted upon them by Special Group criminals in Sadr City,” said 1st Lt. Matthew George, a platoon leader. George said understanding the needs and concerns of the locals was crucial to achieving success in Iraq. “These are very poor people and they have fled what was their home and, like us, all they want is a better life for themselves and their families,” he said.

CITIZEN TIP LEADS INP, MND-B SOLDIERS TO CACHE
Acting on a citizen tip, Iraqi National Police (INP) and MND-B Soldiers seized a weapons cache in the New Baghdad security district of eastern Baghdad on July 25th. Police with the 4th Brigade, 1st National Police Division and Soldiers from the 66th Armor Regiment uncovered a cache during a combined search operation in the Kamaliyah area of New Baghdad. The cache consisted of (2,000) AK-47 ammunition rounds; (1,000) PKC machinegun rounds; (1) rocket nosecone and (1) mortar round of undetermined size. “The citizen who reported the cache to security forces is a true Iraqi patriot who saved the lives of his fellow countrymen,” said Major Joey Sullinger, a spokesperson for 4th BCT, 10th Mountain Division (Light), MultiNational Division - Baghdad. “Civilians working with Iraqi Security Forces will go a long way in ridding eastern Baghdad of criminals, leading to a safe society.”

ISF ASSIST MND-B FINDING IEDs
MND-B Soldiers reported the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) discovered (3) improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during combat patrols in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad on July 25th. IA soldiers from the 24th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, found (2) IEDs inside an abandoned house at approximately 3:30 p.m. in the Saydiyah neighborhood. An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit responded to handle the bombs. Meanwhile at approximately 3:30 p.m., police from the 5th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, discovered a roadside bomb in the Risalah community. Soldiers from the 1st BCT, 4th ID, confirmed the IED and requested an EOD team to dispose of it. “The Iraqi Security Forces continue to find caches and aid in the capturing of terrorists,” said Major Dave Olson, a spokesperson for the 1st BCT, 4th ID. “These Soldiers are committed to assisting the ISF with providing a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people.”

CITIZEN FINDS IED, REPORTS TO IP IN KARADAH
A concerned citizen found an IED and reported it to an Iraqi Police official in the Karadah district of eastern Baghdad on July 25th. After the citizen informed Iraqi Police about the IED, IP officials notified Iraqi explosive ordnance experts. They detonated the IED in place and determined that the IED consisted of homemade explosives. “This is a great example of a brave, concerned citizen and Iraqi Security Forces coming together to save innocent lives in eastern Baghdad,” said Major Joey Sullinger, spokesperson for 4th BCT, 10th Mountain Division. “The courageous citizens of Iraq must continue to take active roles in their security so militants will have no safe haven from which to carry out their criminal attacks. The Government of Iraq’s ability to provide improved essential services to its people it directly tied to increased security and stability.”