Posted on 07/03/2004 4:42:18 PM PDT by wagglebee
US troops in Iraq say they have uncovered a bomb-making factory in the south of the capital, Baghdad. A large cache of weapons and cash was also found at the unidentified site, a US military statement said.
Bomb-making equipment, weapons and ammunition were found in raids at other locations - and 51 people have been taken in for questioning.
The discovery coincided with one of the worst days of violence since the new Iraqi government took power on Monday.
At least five members of the Iraqi security forces were killed and several more wounded in an attack on a checkpoint in the town of Mahmudiya south of Baghdad. One report said they were guarding an oil pipeline.
The Iraqi authorities confirm Ihsan Karim, in charge of the Iraqi investigation into the oil-for-food scandal, has died of wounds received when his car was blown up in Baghdad on Thursday.
A US marine died of wounds received in an attack in al-Anbar province west of Baghdad on Friday.
A British soldier has been wounded in a roadside bomb attack in the southern city of Basra.
The Iraqi government is expected to announce new legislation to tackle the insurgency on Saturday.
Officials say the National Safety Law could allow the authorities to impose emergency laws in specific areas of the country for set periods of time.
Bombs 'being completed'
The US said the Baghdad raid uncovered vehicles loaded with explosives for use as car bombs.
"These discoveries deal a blow to anti-Iraqi forces," Lt Col James Hutton said in a statement.
"Soldiers from the 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment discovered four potential VBIED vehicles in various stages of completion and three safes containing more than 12m Iraqi dinars ($8,750) and various documents and ledgers," the US military said.
Also found during the raid were:
Five AK-47 rifles approximately 500 rounds of ammunition timers computer boards, wires a sight for a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.
"Three individuals were taken in for questioning," the statement said.
On another raid, US soldiers found "partially assembled improvised explosive devices, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, eight RPG [rocket propelled grenade] rounds, approximately 50 pounds of C-4 explosives, TNT, five blasting caps, one detonator and other various munitions".
"The soldiers detained 30 individuals found at the site," the statement said.
Eighteen more people were detained in raids on eight other locations.
They are suspected of involvement in bomb attacks that have killed two soldiers in the area.
"The soldiers believe they have captured the financier, the explosive device manufacturer, the spotter, and the triggerman," the statement said.
Looks like the terrorist know what side their bread is buttered on.
well if the French had blown him up then maybe.....
the terrorists were probably hoping that it was someone in the government....it could have been a secretary or something and it wouldnt matter...
One of the worst days in five whole days? Wow!
Its BBC after all, they can't just report good news in the war on terror, they have to give the enemy a boost too.
How convenient for France, and the Americans they said were on the list of money recipients. [Arkansaside, anyone? Who were the (Anti)Americans on the list collecting money from Saddam? Hmmmmmm? Could have been really bad news for democrats right before an election, aye? Aren't they the "lucky ones"!]
< tin foil on>
Who thinks the UN may be active in the terrorist insurgency?
some FReepers continually hint that they know Clintoon was on the take too...anyone have any info on that?
Great find...good hunting!
The discovery coincided with one of the worst days of violence since the new Iraqi government took power on Monday.
One of the worst days in five whole days? Wow!
When the front page of our paper was more interested in Wall marts female descrimination suit and dedicates the whole front page to it on the same day that an innocent man has his head cut off theres something wrong with that paper and anyone who reads that paper is subject to that foolishness.
I canceled my subscription the same day !
If he can get money to win an election by selling our military secrets to Communist Red China - Americas greatest threat - taking cash from Saddam would be like going to the ATM machine. Push a few buttons, and the cash gets delivered.
Come on, ya believe that?
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