MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ
PRESS DESK
BAGHDAD, Iraq
http://www.mnf-iraq.com
703.343.8790
    
Press Release A080509b
May 9, 2008

Coalition forces clear AQI safe haven, destroy weapons caches (Baghdad)

BAGHDAD – Coalition forces completed an operation May 8 after clearing a former al-Qaeda in Iraq safe haven and destroying 12 weapons caches in an area 20 miles northeast of Baghdad.

Coalition forces targeted terrorists who lived in and used the area to conduct AQI meetings, store weapons and plan suicide attacks. Local residents reported that the terrorists also kidnapped and imprisoned people there. 

During patrols the Coalition forces discovered and destroyed five bunkers, one of which necessitated support aircraft to strike and demolish. Additionally, they located 12 weapons caches that included an anti-aircraft gun with five boxes of ammunition; more than 2,200 rounds of small arms ammunition; bomb-making materials and 34 fuses; a pickup truck containing bomb components; and multiple rockets and mortars with two rocket launchers. At each location, Coalition forces moved civilians out of the area, gathered the weapons together and safely destroyed them on site. 

The Coalition forces also found a computer, compact discs and other communications equipment. 

“Coalition forces are chipping away at al-Qaeda in Iraq day by day,” said Cmdr. Scott Rye, MNF-I spokesperson. “Operations such as these are helping to degrade AQI’s ability to both hide and to terrorize the local populace.”

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