Good News From Iraq

Release A060514a
Coalition Forces raid terrorist safe haven
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Coalition Forces initiated a raid May 13 at approximately 11 a.m. in the vicinity of Julaybah, killing three terrorists, detaining four and destroying enemy hide outs and weapons caches while in search of a wanted al-Qaida so-called Emir.

Upon arrival in an area identified as a terrorist safe haven approximately 12 kilometers east of Ramadi, the Coalition troops began receiving rifle and machine gun fire. The terrorists then began to launch ineffective mortar fire from across a nearby river. Coalition Forces neutralized both the direct and indirect fire with small arms fire and close air support and simultaneously raided five structures, associated hide outs and vehicles.

After killing three terrorists and detaining four others, the troops conducted a thorough search of the area. They found six affiliated vehicles, three of which were loaded with various weapons and explosives to include rifles, mortars and improvised explosive device material. The troops also uncovered numerous weapons caches with AK-47's, rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds and IED material.

One Coalition Soldier received a superficial wound to his leg during the fighting but has since returned to duty.

Five safe houses, six cars, and all lethal material were destroyed on target. No civilians were injured or harmed during the assault or resulting firefight.

Coalition Forces are now assessing if the wanted terrorist was either captured or killed during the fighting.

Release A060514c
Three caches discovered near Balad
BALAD, Iraq – Three caches were discovered in recent days by members of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers.

The first two caches were discovered south of Balad by Bulldog Troop, 2nd Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 3rd HBCT, 4th ID, Task Force Band of Brothers May 11. These caches consisted of four rocket-propelled grenade heads and propellant, two RPG launchers, two unknown rockets, one 82 mm mortar tube, one tripod, one homemade rocket launcher, one 60 mm rocket, one unknown rocket in a green canister, one box of detonators, 400 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, one heavy machine gun and one assault rifle.

A third cache was discovered by Bulldog Troop May 13 in an area south of Balad, near where the first two caches were found. This cache consisted of four RPG rounds, three anti-personnel RPG rounds, three RPG launchers, five mortar rounds of various sizes, one 60 mm rocket, one rifle grenade, four anti-personnel mines, four mortar fuses, 100 to 150 unknown grenades, six illumination rounds, 500 rounds of 7.62 linked ammunition, one bottle of unknown liquid, four bags of unknown white powder, one bag of gun powder, one motorcycle battery and electronic equipment for an improvised explosive device. This cache was destroyed via a controlled detonation by an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit.

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