Iraqi and Marine Forces Capture 14, Find More Munitions South of Baghdad
Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq - Iraqi and U.S. forces rounded up 14 suspected anti-Iraqi forces and uncovered three arms caches south of Baghdad Monday, November 29, as stepped-up efforts to quell insurgent activity in northern Babil province continued for a seventh day.
The Iraqi SWAT team, backed by elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, captured four suspects, including two that the MEU considers to be high-interest individuals, in a raid near Iskandariyah.
In a separate raid just north, the Iraqi Specialized Special Forces and Marines picked up three suspects.
The day's biggest haul came near Yusufiyah, where Marines detained seven suspected insurgents and turned up a large stockpile of ordnance, including the following:
(500) artillery fuses
(13) 155 mm rounds
(127) 82 mm mortar rounds
(1) 82 mm mortar system
(60) empty crates for 82 mm mortar rounds
(1) electric blasting cap
(75) meters of detonation cord
(2) bags full of propellant
(12) hand grenades
(3) AK-47 rifles
(4) full magazines of 7.62 mm ammunition
(1) full magazine of pistol ammunition
Near Yusufiyah, Marines discovered a smaller cache of (8) 120 mm mortar rounds, (60) 120 mm mortar fuses, and one hand grenade, while British forces operating west of the Euphrates River turned up a stockpile of 150 artillery shells.
Iraqi, U.S. and British forces have been conducting raids throughout southern Baghdad and northern Babil province since Nov. 23, when Operation Plymouth Rock kicked off in the town of Jabella, about 50 miles south of the capital.
More than 5,000 Iraqi, U.S. and British forces are participating in the operation, which has so far netted approximately 195 suspected insurgents.
Release #041130e
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