40 Detained in Iraq; Weapons Caches Discovered

American Forces Press Service

Jan. 17, 2007 – Coalition forces detained 40 suspected insurgents and discovered large weapons caches this week during raids throughout Iraq, military officials said. Coalition forces detained 28 suspected terrorists yesterday during raids at several foreign terrorist safe houses across Iraq. One senior al Qaida IED coordinator and a weapons dealer in Mosul were among those detained, and in Ramadi ten suspects were detained for their alleged association with foreign terrorists.

Elsewhere, nine suspected terrorists were detained and a cache of weapons was destroyed in Yusufiyah. The cache contained AK 47 assault rifles, anti-tank mines, mortar switches and ammunition rounds.

Also yesterday, soldiers from the 1st and 7th Iraqi Army divisions, with coalition advisors, captured two insurgent cell leaders during operations in Karabilah and Karmah. The insurgents were allegedly smuggling weapons and foreign fighters into Iraq to facilitate improvised-explosive-device attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces. Iraqi forces also detained four additional suspects for questioning.

In four other operations in Baghdad yesterday:

-- Soldiers from 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, with 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army division troops, detained three suspected insurgents during searches in the Doura neighborhood. The troops also discovered a weapons cache containing four AK 47 assault rifles, four loaded magazines, one 60 mm mortar, and two sets of police body armor.

-- Coalition forces detained one suspect and seized a weapons cache during operations in the Adhamiyah area. The cache belonged to an insurgent cell responsible for IED and car bomb attacks against Iraqi and coalition forces.

-- Soldiers with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, and 1st Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, recovered four 155 mm artillery rounds, one 120 mm mortar round, two 81 mm mortar rounds, one bag of explosive powder, one IED, seven rocket-propelled-grenade rounds, and two rocket-propelled-grenade launchers.

-- Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army unexpectedly found and released a kidnapping victim in Ameriyah.

In other operations earlier this week:

-- Coalition forces captured two insurgents during operations Jan. 15 in western Baghdad. The detainees are allegedly responsible for transporting and financing foreign fighters responsible for attacks against Iraqi civilians and security forces.

-- Soldiers from 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, captured six suspected insurgents and recovered a large weapons cache containing assault rifles, ammunition and grenades Jan. 15 during security operation in eastern Baghdad.

-- Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, "Golden Dragons," 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, with Iraqi troops, found and destroyed a weapons cache Jan. 15 near a rural road along Mulla Fayad Highway.

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