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Huge weapons cache unearthed in northern Iraq

November 22, 2004

MOSUL, Iraq (Army News Service, Nov. 22, 2004) - Multi-national forces from the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) unearthed Nov. 22 one of the largest weapons caches ever found in northern Iraq, about 45 kilometers south of Mosul in the village of Shafa'at.

During their patrol, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment discovered huge stockpiles of weapons and munitions, including an anti-aircraft gun, 15,000 anti-aircraft rounds, 4,600 hand grenades, 144 VOG-17M anti-personnel grenade launchers, 25 SA-7 surface-to-air missiles, 44 SA-7 battery packs, 20 guided missile packs, 21 120mm mortar rounds, two 120mm mortar tubes, 10 122mm rockets, six 152mm artillery rounds and two 57mm artillery rounds.

Soldiers also discovered a building full of explosive-making materials. The three-arce site is secure and still under investigation with more weapons and munitions discoveries expected, Task Force Olympia officials said.

On Nov. 21, operations in Mosul nabbed a number of suspected insurgents. Iraqi Police Commandos and Multi-National Forces from 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division detained a number of people suspected of anti-Iraqi activities as operations continued in Mosul to eliminate remaining anti-Iraqi forces in the region.

Special Iraqi police commandos from the Ministry of the Interior in Baghdad conducted a cordon and search in central Mosul and detained 23 people suspected of planning and conducting attacks against ISF and MNF. The suspects are in Iraqi custody undergoing questioning.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment detained four individuals at a traffic control point after Soldiers spotted the individuals tossing hand grenades and weapons out of their vehicle as they approached the TCP.

MNF conducted a cordon and search in the western Mosul and detained three suspected members of a terrorist cell in Mosul. The suspects are in custody with no injuries reported during the operation.

Multi-National Forces and Iraqi Security Forces continue to root out the remaining pockets of sporadic resistance. Joint operations between the Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces will continue as necessary to maintain law and order in the region. Anyone having information regarding terrorist activities should contact the Joint Coordination Center in Mosul at 125 or 513462.

(Editor's note: Information provided by the Task Force Olympia, Multinational Brigade-Northwest public affairs office.)