Below is synopsis of media releases sent out by Multi-National Forces-Iraq Coalition Press Information Center in last 24-hours. These are provided to give everyone a broader perspective of the ongoing missions here in Iraq and how your mission here at BIAP is crucial to supporting the work “outside the wire.”
One Iraqi killed, 30 wounded by terrorist bombs
BAGHDAD – Two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices detonated March 30 in Baghdad, killing one Iraqi citizen and wounding 30.
In the first attack, terrorists detonated a VBIED at approximately 4:30 p.m. Thursday in New Baghdad, killing one Iraqi citizen and wounding 15.
The wounded were evacuated to a nearby Iraqi hospital.
In the second attack, terrorists detonated a VBIED outside a mosque at approximately 7:30 p.m., injuring 15 Iraqi citizens.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, responded to the explosion in northwest Baghdad.
When Iraqi Army Soldiers arrived at the site of the bombing, a second VBIED was discovered and rendered safe by the Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team. The second VBIED consisted of 14 kg of explosives and 18 rocket-propelled grenade rounds.
A suspect was detained in connection with the bombing. Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers assisted in treating the injured and securing the area.
The injured were taken to a local hospital.
The incidents are under investigation by Iraqi authorities.
IA Sgt. Maj. killed while stopping thieves; caches found
NARWAN, Iraq – Four terrorists and an Iraqi Army command sergeant major were killed in fighting as an Iraqi Army patrol stopped an anti-Iraqi forces attempt to steal a dump truck south of Baqubah March 31.
The Iraqi Army patrol and members of 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers engaged the thieving insurgents in a firefight as they were stopped in their attempted theft and started to flee. The anti-Iraqi force returned fire killing the sergeant major and wounding four other Iraqi Army Soldiers.
Four insurgents were killed, one wounded and eight detained. All of the wounded were transported to Baqubah General Hospital.
The detained men are being held by Coalition Forces for questioning.
After the firefight, the units inspected a white sedan the anti-Iraqi forces were using in their escape attempt. It was found to have a mortar tube with base plate, some mortar rounds and a sniper rifle with ammunition.
While conducting a search of the area near the firefight, Coalition Forces discovered three caches. These caches consisted of one anti-aircraft gun with ammunition, four shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, 24 mortar rounds, two mortar tubes, one grenade launcher, 2000 rounds of ammunition and two PKC rifles.
Coalition captures three suspected terrorists
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Three suspected terrorists were captured and three others killed during a Coalition Forces operation in Al Amiriyah, Al Anbar Province, April 1.
Intelligence reports identified the location of a potential safe haven for a wanted terrorist involved in foreign fighter facilitation into Iraq. Upon approaching the house, Coalition Forces heard shouting from inside the house which confirmed the presence of the suspected terrorists. After repeated requests for the surrender of the enemy, Coalition Forces engaged the enemy with a precision weapon from a Coalition aircraft.
Two people – a male and a female -- were killed in the initial airstrike. Another male terrorist was shot and killed. Other occupants survived the strike and escaped into adjacent houses.
Coalition Forces successfully convinced the occupants of the two adjacent houses to exit, resulting in the detention of three suspected terrorists.
Operation Cowpens yields another cache
JABOURI PENINSULA, Iraq – A small cache was discovered by Alpha Company, 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers on the Jabouri Peninsula during Operation Cowpens March 31.
The cache was discovered in a search and seizure mission aimed at locating caches and capturing insurgents.
The cache consisted of one machine gun, one sniper scope, one mortar bipod, one mortar tube, eight rocket-propelled grenades, five mortar rounds, seven rockets, three cans of 7.62 mm ammunition, one AK-47, one RPG launcher with sights, a sniper rifle and two bags of 7.62 mm ammunition.
The cache was transported to a secured location for further inspection and controlled detonation.
Iraqi, MND-B Soldiers seize large weapons cache
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Soldiers from Company C, 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, discovered a large weapons cache in the southwestern area of Baghdad at 3:30 p.m. March 31.
The cache consisted of 16 bags of high-munitions explosives (approximately 900 lbs), one roll of detonation cord, nine long-range communication antennas, two demolition sticks (approximately 300 lbs), two ZPU anti-artillery guns, eight 155 mm rounds, a 122 mm round prepared as a roadside-bomb, a fire extinguisher prepared as a roadside-bomb, 30 82 mm mortar rounds prepared as roadside bombs and a 300-pound acetylene tank prepared as a roadside bomb.
Insurgents found guilty of possession of illegal weapons
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Central Criminal Court of Iraq convicted six security detainees for various crimes including possession of illegal weapons and illegal border crossing.
In the first case, on Nov. 13, 2004, Coalition Forces apprehended Ismael Keham Hussein Rothan after conducting an intelligence-based raid on his home. CF found a box inside a burlap bag on the second floor. The box contained four anti-personnel rocket-propelled grenade warheads, two anti-tank RPG warheads, five RPG boosters, 20 links for heavy caliber rounds with 16 rounds in the links, one loaded AK-47 magazine and one RPG sight. The defendant was charged with violating Coalition Provisional Authority Order No. 3, Section 6, paragraph 2/B for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced the defendant to three years imprisonment.
In the second case, on Aug. 18, 2004, members of the Iraqi National Guard and CF apprehended Mizban Khudair Hadi after conducting a raid on the home based on information that someone in the home had attacked CF with RPG’s on April 9, 2004. ING and CF located four loaded AK-47 rifles, one bag of 7.62mm bullets, plastic explosives, blasting caps, and other IED making materials. The defendant was charged with violating Coalition Provisional Authority Order No. 3, Section 6, paragraph 2/B for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced the defendant to five years and one month imprisonment.
In the third case, on Dec. 13, 2003, CF apprehended Kamal Abd Alwahed Khalaf and Rasool Muhan Wadi after taking fire from a vehicle they were driving. CF returned fire, wounded two people and recovered one 9mm pistol from the car. The defendants were charged with violating Iraqi Penal Code section 570 and Iraqi Weapons Law Article 27/1, respectively. The trial court found the defendants guilty of the charges and sentenced them to a one year imprisonment and a 50,000 dinar fine, with an additional 6 months imprisonment if the fine is not paid.
In the fourth case, on June 13, 2005, apprehended Shakur Salman Mohmmed at an Iraqi Police checkpoint for possession of a fake ID. The defendant was turned over to CF for interrogation. During interrogation, the defendant admitted to being a member of Saddam’s Mujahideen and that in 2004 he attacked CF with an RPG. The defendant further admitted that he used his fake identification card to travel around Iraq freely. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charges and sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment.
In the fifth case, on Oct. 8, 2004, CF apprehended Hamid Ali Ahmed Albu Marai after searching his home. CF found an RPG launcher, a mortar sight and two mortar fuses. The defendant confessed to hiding these illegal weapons on his property. The defendant was charged with violating Coalition Provisional Authority Order No. 3, Section 6, paragraph 2/A for possession of illegal weapons. The trial court found the defendant guilty of the charge and sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment.
Upon conviction, all defendants are turned over to the Iraqi Corrections Service to serve their sentences.
To date, the CCCI has held 974 trials of insurgents suspected of anti-Iraqi and anti-Coalition activities threatening the security of Iraq and targeting MNF-I. These proceedings have resulted in 885 individual convictions with sentences ranging up to 30 years imprisonment.
Detainee dies at Abu Ghraib
ABU GHRAIB, Iraq — A 62-year-old male security detainee died March 30 of an apparent heart attack at Abu Ghraib.
Detainees in the same compound notified the guards that the detainee was having difficulty breathing. The medical staff was dispatched and immediately began CPR in order to revive the detainee.
The detainee was transported to the onsite medical facility where he died after all life-saving efforts failed to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead at 5:40 a.m. by an attending physician.
The military Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the incident, which is standard procedure after any detainee death.
The detainee’s remains will be transferred to the family, in accordance with standard procedure.
...just the first SAS in history to take sucha stand.
and decide to quit & get a real job?
