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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 22, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-67


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


NUMEROUS POTENTIAL SUBVERSIVE ATTACKS DETERRED

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Coalition forces prevented several potential subversive attacks bringing the country of Iraq closer to a safe and secure environment.

A 1st Armored Division unit identified an improvised explosive device outside of their detention cell. The device consisted of three pounds of plastic explosives with an electronic timer in a black bag. An explosive ordnance detonation team disabled the device without incident.

Also at the 1st AD detention center, an unidentified Iraqi man dropped off a black bag containing a bomb with a timing device on it. An EOD team neutralized the bomb and removed it for further investigation.

A 1st AD unit conducted a raid at a house in a Baghdad neighborhood and confiscated one AK-47, one rocket-propelled grenade, one G3 assault rifle and two 69 mm tubes. Two individuals were detained. Additional raids on three other houses yielded two AK-47s, and one 9 mm pistol.

Military police from the 1st AD responded to small arms fire at the new Baghdad police station detaining one Iraqi in a vehicle with an AK-47. There was several brass cartridges found on the front and rear seats of the vehicle. The Iraqi was taken to the local brigade support area detention area for questioning.

A 1st AD infantry sniper team on patrol spotted two Iraqis with AK-47s in a library. The patrol searched the library and found 6-60 mm mortar rounds, one 82 mortar round, three rocket-propelled grenade-7 warheads, one 14.5 anti-aircraft gun and two AK-47s. The Iraqis escaped prior to the arrival of the search patrol team.

Another 1st AD patrol in Baghdad identified and neutralized an improvised explosive device. The device was a fragmentation grenade placed in a plastic container that was filled with gasoline.

An EOD team in the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force area reported finding four 125 mm high explosive tank rounds evenly spaced and camouflaged by foliage. The devices were set for command detonation approximately 100 meters from the road using a small tractor battery. Only one of the four rounds detonated.

The 1st MEF responded to a reported looting at an agricultural factory in Iskandariayah. Six individuals were detained and three AK-47s, one 9 mm pistol and four grenades were confiscated. Additionally, 50 rocket-propelled grenades and one large bag of 7.62 mm link rounds were found in a closet at the factory.

Finally, in the 1st MEF area of operation, the Iraqi police along with military police conducted a joint raid in Ash Shafiiyah and confiscated 140 grenade fuses, 654 7.62 rounds, 43 hand grenades and four AK-47s. One individual was arrested.

First AD soldiers confiscated three million Iraqi dinars, counterfeiting equipment for fake license plates along with numerous fake license plates a typewriter, two printers and a key board. One individual was detained for questioning.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 23 raids, 1,126-day patrols and 928-night patrols. They also jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 145-day patrols and 162-night patrols. Independently, the Iraqi Police conducted 11-day patrols and 10-night patrols.

The total raids and patrols resulted in 154 arrests for various criminal activities including two for murder, seven for car jacking, four for aggravated assault, eight for burglary and one for looting.

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