[TexKat]

Two weapons and munitions caches found by SF in N. Iraq

(TFF Press Release)

MOSUL, IRAQ (March 2, 2005) – Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces discovered two weapons and munitions caches during operations in northern Iraq yesterday.

Troops from the 107th Iraqi Army discovered a large weapons cache during a cordon and search operation south of Al Had. The cache included 170 mortar rounds, hundreds of rocket propelled grenade rounds, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The weapons and ammunition were confiscated for future destruction.

Multi-National Force Soldiers discovered a large cache that consisted of over 2,000 rounds of various ammunition during a cordon and search operation west of Mosul. The ammunition was confiscated for future destruction.

Iraqi Security Forces and Multi-National Forces continue operations to protect the rights of Iraqi citizens to live free of fear and intimidation from terrorists. The success of those operations has increased due to the information provided by Iraqi citizens helping Security Forces capture insurgents and seize weapons.

[TexKat]

Bashir jailed for 30 months over bombing

15:37 AEDT Thu Mar 3 2005

AP - Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Bashir has been sentenced to two and a half years in jail after a court in Jakarta found him guilty of conspiracy in the Bali bombings that killed 202 people, including 88 Australians.

The charge was brought under Indonesia's standard criminal code.

Alleged terror mastermind Bashir was acquitted of other more serious charges laid under the Indonesia's tough new anti-terrorism laws.

"The defendant has been proven legally and convincingly to have committed the crime of evil conspiracy that caused fire that left other people dead", Chief Judge Soedarto said.

Prosecutors had sought eight years in jail for Bashir on various terrorism and criminal charges related to bomb attacks.

Western governments accuse Bashir of being the spiritual leader of Jemaah Islamiah, seen as the regional arm of al-Qaeda.