Iraqi Army, Coalition forces discover weapons cache in Yarmouk

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Freedom Journal, Iraq
Iraqi Army, Coalition forces discover weapons cache in Yarmouk
by 1st Lt. Brian Cooke, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment PAO
Monday, 18 June 2007

BAGHDAD — Iraqi Army Troops and Multi-National Division–Baghdad Soldiers, uncovered a large cache of explosives and bomb-making materials in the western Baghdad neighborhood of Yarmouk Wednesday.

Iraqi troops from 2nd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division initially discovered a weapons cache while on patrol in the Yarmouk neighborhood. The cache contained 113 land mines, 63 grenades, three rockets, three mortars, two gas masks, five washing machine timers, more than 2000 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and seven boxes of various electronics and other assorted explosives.

It is the largest weapons cache discovery by either Iraqi or Coalition forces to date in the Yarmouk area. The Iraqi troops quickly notified their liaison officer at Joint Security Station Torch, where Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition forces live and work together.

“This is just more proof to us that having the JSS and being out in the community is what’s allowing us to work so effectively with the Iraqi Army,” said U.S. Army Major Jim MacGregor, executive officer of 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment.

The 2-32nd Field Artillery Regt. received the report and sent a patrol to the site of the cache to assist the Iraqi troops. Upon arrival the U.S. patrol leader, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Nick Bell, received an update from the Iraqi battalion commander, Iraqi Army Col. Ali Al-Obaydi.

Ali told the lieutenant that a gardener was trimming the bushes of an empty house he was caretaking and noticed several bags hidden behind the shrubs. Upon closer inspection, the gardener identified what he believed to be hand grenades and promptly called the Iraqi Army for help. Ali responded to the call and then sent word for U.S. assistance to dispose of the explosives.

This tip coming from a local resident is another sign of progress in Yarmouk, McGregor said.

“The people of Yarmouk are showing us that they are ready to stand up against violence and make their neighborhood’s better places to live,” he said.

Bell and Ali’s troops set up a joint cordon of the area to secure the cache and ensure the safety of local residents. Once the area was secure, an explosive ordnance disposal team was called in to destroy the munitions.

U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Patrick Henson, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment