MNFI Press Release - Dec 30

IRAQI ARMY FINDS LARGE WEAPONS CACHE
Iraqi Army (IA) Soldiers discovered a large weapons cache in the Jurf region during a patrol on December 28th. IA Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 31st IA Brigade reported to Coalition forces the location of a cache consisting of (657) 37 mm anti-armor munitions with cartridge cases. Members of the 760th Explosive Ordnance Disposal responded, cleared the area and disposed of all ordnance in place by controlled detonation.

ISF CAPTURE 5 TERRORISTS IN SEPARATE OPS
Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) captured five suspected terrorists during separate operations throughout northern Iraq on December 26-27th. During an operation on December 27th, Baqubah Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team arrested two suspected terrorists while serving warrants. These individuals are allegedly responsible for IED and rocket attacks against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces. In a separate operation on December 26th in Rabiah, elements from the 3rd Iraqi Army captured three suspected terrorists. The individuals are believed to be extorting money from civilian and commercial traffic then transferring it to other local terrorists’ cells.

IA SOLDIERS FIND IED IN NW BAGHDAD
Iraqi Security Forces from the 3rd Battalion, 54th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division discovered an IED in Baghdad’s Mansour district on December 29th at approximately 10 a.m. The ISF notified Soldiers from the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, operationally attached to the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division , Multi-National Division – Baghdad, who responded to the scene to search for secondary devices. An Iraqi Army explosives ordnance disposal team was called in and removed the IED, which consisted of a gallon of homemade explosives, ball bearings and a cell phone initiator. “The discovery of this device before its detonation is a victory for the ISF and a testament to their improved capabilities,” said Major Kone Faulkner, spokesman for the 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div. “Each day the ISF prove they are more capable of providing for the citizens of Baghdad and we will continue to provide over watch and support as needed.”