Coalition Forces in Iraq Round Up Iran-Backed Enemy Fighters

American Forces Press Service

June 5, 2008 - Coalition forces in Iraq captured an alleged leader and a suspected primary weapons smuggler and financier for Iranian-backed enemy fighters today. Acting on intelligence information, coalition forces conducted a raid on the home of the suspected "special groups" leader in Mahawil, south of Baghdad. He surrendered without incident.

In a separate operation east of Kut, intelligence tips helped coalition forces track down the hideout of a suspected special groups member who sources allege is the primary weapons smuggler and financier for Iranian-backed enemy elements in that area. The suspect and an associate surrendered when coalition forces stormed their location.

In operations in Iraq yesterday:

-- Iraqi soldiers seized various bomb-making components, including a pressure plate, in Baghdad's Sadr City district.

-- Another Iraqi army unit seized a wired artillery shell, a rocket-propelled grenade and an RPG round. In a separate operation a short time later, soldiers from the same unit discovered four homemade bombs, each made from three 120 mm rounds rigged together and buried underground. An Iraqi army explosives team disarmed the bombs before they were transported for disposal.

-- In the West Rashid district of Baghdad, soldiers serving with the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team seized hundreds of pounds of plastic explosives.

-- In the Istaqlal area north of Baghdad, soldiers with the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team discovered a weapons cache that included a flak jacket, AK-47 assault rifles, AK-47 magazines and 7.62 mm rounds.

-- Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team found grenade fuses, grenade parts and ammunition rounds northwest of Baghdad. In the same area a short time later, soldiers from the same unit discovered a 120 mm mortar round, a rocket, an 81 mm mortar round, empty 107 mm rocket casings, a base plate, timer fuses and detonation cord.

-- In the Shurta area of Rashid, soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team found 120 mm mortar rounds and boxes of 12.7 mm ammunition.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Corps Iraq news releases.)