MND-B Engage Criminals, Seize Weapons in Multiple Operations

Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers and an MND-B aerial weapons team killed seven criminals and seized weapons in separate incidents across Baghdad April 21.

At approximately 8:40 a.m., Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment were on patrol in New Baghdad when they were attacked by terrorists using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. The Soldiers returned fire and killed three criminals.

Approximately 40 minutes later, Soldiers from 1-66 AR, while conducting combat operations, were attacked by criminals using small-arms fire in New Baghdad. The Soldiers returned fire. The criminals fled the area and their vehicle was destroyed.

At approximately 9:45 a.m. in an area west of Baghdad, an Iraqi citizen discovered and turned in a weapons cache consisting of 42 82mm mortars, two 120mm mortars and 500 7.62 mm rounds to MND-B Soldiers.

An aerial weapons team observed criminals in a vehicle resupplying other criminals in New Baghdad at approximately 10:25 a.m. The AWT engaged the vehicle, and killed two armed criminals and destroyed the vehicle.

During a patrol in New Baghdad, Soldiers from 1-66 AR came under fire by criminal groups. An aerial weapons team was called to the scene. The AWT engaged with a Hellfire missile at approximately 11:40 a.m., and killed both criminals and destroyed the shack they were using for concealment. Approximately 30 minutes later, an M1A2 Abrams tank crew from 1-66 AR engaged a criminal rocket team in New Baghdad. The crew destroyed a rocket, a rocket sled and the vehicle carrying the illegal weapons.

At approximately 4:25 p.m. in Sadr City, two criminals attacked Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in an observation post with small-arms fire. The Soldiers returned fire and killed both of the criminals.

"We are establishing a safe neighborhood in southern Sadr City in order to restore stability and security to that threatened community that Special Groups cells used to fire rocket and mortar rounds from," said Lt. Col. Steven Stover, spokesman for Multi-National Division - Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division.

"Using barriers has been effective in other neighborhoods, markets and roads, allowing Iraqi Security and Coalition forces to control access and the movement of illegal material, and disrupting both al-Qaeda in Iraq and Special Groups criminals. Security will lead to a return of Iraqi civilians, humanitarian assistance and, we hope, Government of Iraq-funded essential services," Stover said.

judythpiazza@newsblaze.com