Special Iraqi Army Forces captured a large improvised explosive device and weapons cache located inside a mosque during a raid Nov. 16 near the Baghdad International Airport to capture IED emplacers.Coalition forces observed several persons placing an IED, but were unable to capture them before they fled into a nearby mosque compound.
Coalition forces cordoned the compound while an Iraqi force with coalition advisers entered the compound, consisting of a mosque and two houses, in search of the emplacers. Iraqi forces were unable to locate the individuals, but uncovered multiple hidden storage areas containing a large cache of IEDs, weapons and explosives which are used in attacks that injure and kill Iraqi civilians, Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces. Weapons and material were found in the houses, the compound area and the mosque.
Iraqi forces found two vehicles prepared for use as car-bombs, as well as pre-made IEDs, to include a suicide-vest.
Continued search of the compound revealed several anti-tank mines, electrical initiation systems for IEDs, a mortar system and ammunition, several assault rifles and ammunition, several machine guns, pistols and a rocket propelled grenade launcher and ammunition.
Coalition forces destroyed the two vehicles on-site along with a MOPED discovered to have protruding wiring and with munitions hidden within it. An anti-tank mine with anti-handling mechanisms was also destroyed on-site. The remaining weapons and material was confiscated by coalition forces.
No IEDs or munitions were destroyed within the mosque itself.
No damage was done to the mosque and there were no Iraqi civilian, Iraqi forces or Coalition forces casualties. |