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
April 23, 2004
Release Number: 04-04-20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ANTI-COALITION FORCES TAKE TOKEN STEPS TOWARD PEACE INITIATIVE
FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Anti-Coalition forces appear to be disregarding the steps toward an agreed peace in Fallujah.
Weapons turned in to Marines around Fallujah Thursday were old, rusted and some were completely unusable. The number and condition of weapons turned in paled in comparison to those that Marines are capturing from enemy forces. Captured weapons appear in good-working order, are clean, oiled and ready for combat.
Weapons turned in to the Marines were in small amounts. There were no large caches of weapons, which is a drastic contrast to the weapons and ammunition Marines and soldiers found in the vicinity of Fallujah earlier this week.
Six machine guns turned in were broken beyond repair as were two SA-7 missile launchers. Seven rocket-propelled grenade launchers were turned in, but some were inoperable. About 21 RPG projectiles were handed in and labeled inert.
One sniper rifle and one flamethrower were brought in; however, neither was in a condition to be fired. Another 113 mortar rounds were collected, but upon inspection, they were found to be corroded and rusted beyond military use.
At about 10 p.m. Wednesday near Fallujah, soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, assigned to the 1st Marine Division, conducted a series of raids, killing one Anti-Coalition fighter and capturing another 12. Soldiers recovered 11 AK-47s, five bolt-action rifles, more than 80 AK-47 magazines, a homemade shotgun, a hand grenade, 11 122mm artillery rounds and 15 fuses.
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