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Marines Raids Target Terrorists Making IEDs
CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq - Raids conducted by Marines and soldiers assigned to 1st Marine Division netted several suspects throughout cities in eastern Al Anbar Province April 14.
Raids near Habbiniyah by soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team on a series of objectives turned up an improvised explosive device factory. Soldiers discovered parts for making IEDs, weapons and a suspected IED testing area. Soldiers killed 16 enemy combatants and detained another 10.
Soldiers with 1st Brigade Combat Team also captured seven enemy suspected of launching IED and mortar attacks near Khalidiyah, just southeast of Ar Ramadi. Soldiers recovered four rocket-propelled grenade rounds, an RPG launcher and an IED triggering device attached to 100 feet of wire. Plastic explosives were also found.
Marines in Ar Ramadi conducted a cordon-and-search mission and detained seven enemy after finding five sticks of dynamite, grenades and blasting caps in two different houses.
A raid in Fallujah on a smuggler's house turned up hidden weapons and 16 men were detained.
Soldiers with the 1st Brigade Combat Team came to the aid of three Iraqi men in Ar Ramadi after their fuel truck caught on fire. The cause of the fire was unknown. Soldiers rendered first aid to the injured men and remained on scene until an Iraqi ambulance arrived.
Soldiers in Ar Ramadi visited a glass factory to assess needs to make repairs to a water-cooling tower the plant manager said was burned in a fire.
Yesterday in Al Kharma, near Fallujah, a significant number of anti-Iraqi forces assaulted defensive Marine positions close to a residential neighborhood. Marines repelled the assault, with lethal, accurate fire. When the fighting ended, residents came outside and told the Marines that the fighters had moved into their homes recently, virtually holding them hostage. The residents were able to then move about freely in their own neighborhood and beyond.
Several other planned projects in the region have been suspended due to the non-permissive environment posed by terrorists. The terrorists continue to hamper Marines' plans to assist Iraqi government and civil leaders to reconstruct infrastructure and aid in improvements to civic projects. Projects will begin again when the area is more secure.
Release #040415b
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