MNF-I, July 18, 2008 – Coalition forces captured five suspected Special Groups criminals during operations early Friday morning in the Adhamiyah section of Baghdad.
Based on intelligence information, Coalition forces targeted the location of a suspected financier of Iranian-sponsored Special Groups operations. According to previously captured Special Groups criminals, he is the paying agent for operations revolving around the criminals’ propaganda activities. These propaganda activities are aimed at collecting payments for attacks on Coalition and Iraqi forces, as well as trying to win support for their crimes.
Coalition forces approached the targeted individual’s location about three kilometers northwest of Sadr City, where they captured three suspected Special Groups criminals. Forces moved to another location in the same neighborhood where they captured an additional two suspected outlaws without incident.
Also Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers discovered a weapons cache and an unexploded munitions round July 17 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
At approximately 9 a.m. in the Saha neighborhood, Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, found an 80 mm mortar round while conducting a canal clearing operation. An explosives ordnance disposal unit properly disposed of the round.
Al-Hurra TV, citing an American battalion commander, reported: The origin of these arms and ammunition is the Iranian regime and its goal is to create insecurity in Iraq. Considering the presence of mortar shells and different weapons with different calibres that their making year is 2008, the role of the Iranian regime is quite clear.