Topic: US forces seize huge weapons cache in Baghdad

Media: AFP
Byline: n/a
Date: 20 August 2006

BAGHDAD - US troops attached to a huge security operation in the war torn
Iraqi capital have seized a huge "terrorist" weapons stockpile and captured
two suspects, the military said Sunday.

The 172nd Stryker Brigade, which was diverted to Baghdad to quell an
outbreak of sectarian violence after finishing a planned 12-month tour in
Iraq, found the cache during a search of the neighbourhoods of Ghazaliyah
and Nur.

Troops raided a warehouse in the mainly Sunni west of the city and seized
an arsenal of 580 mortar shells, 39,000 bullets, 100 rocket-propelled
grenades, 270 rockets, two landmines and several machine guns.

The also discovered bomb-making equipment, the statement said.

Between August 7 and 16, forces attached to "Operation Together Forward"
detained 54 suspected "terrorists", cleared more than 23,000 buildings
including 21 mosques and seized 326 illegal weapons, the military added.

The security operation was launched on July 9 with nearly 30,000 Iraqi and
US troops patrolling the capital's streets to restore stability in Baghdad,
where dozens die daily in sectarian and insurgent killings.