Weapons Caches Found, Suspects Detained, Iraqi Citizens Provide Tips

TIKRIT, Iraq - Three weapons caches were discovered and 21 anti-Iraqi forces suspects were detained in northern Iraq Jan 11.

Soldiers from the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment conducted a raid against a suspected AIF cell in Tal Afar just after midnight Jan. 11. The unit discovered two mortar rounds, a large supply of small-arms ammunition and a home-made mine. Seven men were detained at the site.

Two separate raids in Mosul by Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team resulted in the capture of eight AIF suspects, including one believed to be involved with mortar attacks against civilian targets in the area.

Two Mosul residents are being credited with discovering a cache of anti-tank mines after reporting what they believed to be an IED to local police. Police officers secured the area and an Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal unit responded and found 20 AT mines and an artillery round.

Another Iraqi EOD team in Kirkuk was called in the morning of Jan. 11 to dispose of a collection of old munitions discovered in the back of a truck. Eighteen artillery shells and two mortar rounds were safely destroyed.

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division captured three suspects near a weapons cache in the Tikrit area Jan. 11. The cache, consisting of mortar rounds and rockets, was discovered near an area where numerous rocket and mortar attacks have originated.

An ineffective rocket attack against a base near Balad led to the capture of three more AIF suspects. Soldiers from the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division stopped the suspects' vehicle after a coalition aircraft observed them trying to flee the area.

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq