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NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894

August 21, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-43


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


WEAPONS, IED CONFISCATED, DESTROYED

BAGHDAD, Iraq-Coalition forces continued to confiscate and destroy weapons and improvised explosive devices throughout Iraq on Aug. 20.

Acting on a tip from a local source, 4th Infantry Division searched a weapons cache in the Abu Huraybish area. Confiscated weapons included 200 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, two 60 mm mortar tubes, six 60 mm mortar rounds, artillery propellant, one AK-47, one rocket-propelled grenade, one rocket-propelled grenade sight, two mortar sights, one sniper scope and four bayonets. Three individuals were detained at the site for questioning.

First Armored Division soldiers spotted an individual on a rooftop in the Baghdad area with an AK-47. A patrol sent to the building, confiscated the AK-47, nine AK-47 magazines and more than 180 rounds of 7.62 ammunition.

Meanwhile, attacks were prevented when 1st AD soldiers found two improvised explosive devices in Baghdad. Two of the IEDs consisted of four artillery rounds with attached wires leading to a concealed position behind a tree. An explosive ordnance detonation team safely defused both IEDs. Additionally, acting on information received from a local source, an EOD team safely removed an IED consisting of one grenade and one 120 mortar round from an area near a government building.

Acting on information from a local source, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force discovered a weapons cache in the Babil Province with enough equipment to make more than 200 IEDs, The cache consisted of eight rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 300 pounds of dynamite, blasting caps and wire. Additionally in the Babil Province area, 1 MEF confiscated 50 anti-tank guided missiles, multiple cluster bombs units and rockets.

In the last 24 hours, coalition forces conducted 20 raids, 879 day patrols and 656 night patrols. The units also conducted 216 day patrols and 189 night patrols jointly with Iraqi police.

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