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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

July 16, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-52


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


SODA MOUNTAIN CONTINUES TO SECURE IRAQ

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The 4th Infantry Division continued to lead the way in Operation Soda Mountain with supporting operation, Operation Ivy Serpent, in order to create a secure environment in Iraq.

Since the beginning of the operation on July 12, the 4th ID has conducted 71 raids and detained 448 individuals, including 38 individuals identified as key former regime loyalists leaders. Confiscated weapons include 102 AK-47s, 387 125mm mortar rounds, and four 60 mm mortar tubes.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force discovered and destroyed eight SA-7 missiles located in the Muhawil ammunition supply point.

The 1st MEF came to the aid of an U. S. Army convoy that was attacked with an improvised explosive device in Babil. They later captured two of the attackers and confiscated a Dragonov rifle, AK-47s and ammunition. The attackers were taken for questioning.

The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment seized a weapons cache in a town north of Habinyah. The weapons seized consisted of 400 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 15 mortars with fuses and one anti-tank mine. A bunker complex was identified as well. An engineer unit demolished the bunker site

In other activity, a unit of the 101st Airborne Division secured the former Iraqi Military stipend payments paying 1,065 former Iraqi soldiers on the first day.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 65 raids, 1,347-day patrols and 1,690-night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 172-day patrols and 216-night patrols. Independently, the Iraqi Police conducted eight day patrols and two night patrols.

The total raids and patrols resulted in 360 arrests for various criminal activities including four for murder, five for car jacking, 11 for aggravated assault, 11 for burglary, and 13 for looting.

For further information contact the CJTF-7 Coalition Press Information Center at 914 360-5082/5089 or cpic.pressdesk.iraq@us.army.mil.

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