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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

April 7, 2003
Release Number: 03-04-80


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


MARINES ATTACK ENEMY FORCES NEAR BAGHDAD

NEAR BAGHDAD - In the past 24 hours, the First Marine Expeditionary Force punished Iraqi forces resisting from inside populated cities.

The force of nearly 85,000 U.S. servicemen and British troops have attacked enemy forces hiding in Southeast Baghdad and inside the city of Basra, resulting in the discovery of five weapons caches consisting of more than 10 tons of ordnance, thousands of rocket-propelled grenades, thousands of aircraft bombs, 15 surface-to-surface missiles, 13 surface-to-air missiles, 400 cases of mortar rounds, thousands of AK-47 assault rifles and numerous crew-served weapons and ammunition. The force has also destroyed, damaged or captured 24 tanks, three artillery pieces, 31 armored personnel carriers, six fuel trucks, and six "technical" vehicles.

The Marines' aircraft wing flew more than 250 sorties in 24 hours while ground forces seized two of Saddam's palaces and a terrorist training camp.
The force has also captured more than 3,500 enemy prisoners of war since hostilities began.