Posted on 07/21/2006 5:31:01 PM PDT by blam
British capture Iraqi bombs mastermind
By Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson
(Filed: 22/07/2006)
British forces in Iraq have seized a two-ton cache of weapons - including rockets, grenades and bomb-making equipment - belonging to the gang responsible for the deaths of numerous servicemen.
More than 50 rockets, 10 rocket-propelled grenades and 150 mortars were seized following a battle
The discovery, which military commanders believe is the most significant breakthrough since they arrived in Iraq in 2003, followed the arrest of the leader of the fundamentalist Shia group in Basra last weekend.
Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, told The Daily Telegraph: "We got a very important person, the leader of a very dangerous militia gang, which will lead to a very significant deterioration in their capability … This is a sign of significant progress."
Mr Browne said Sajjad Badr Adal Saeed, the Jamaa leader who ordered the killing of many British soldiers in roadside attacks, was taken from his home in Basra last Saturday night. Ordnance tactics handbooks, fake IDs and detonators were found.
"This man was a very significant leader," Mr Browne said. "He was a planner, but he also had technical abilities which were very valuable to the militia."
Three days later, British forces used intelligence gathered at the address to track down the weapons cache and bomb-making factory.
Ministry of Defence sources said more than 50 rockets, about 10 rocket-propelled grenades and 150 mortars were seized following a battle. Improvised explosive devices - the roadside bombs that have killed so many British soldiers - were also found, fully assembled, along with mines and other weapons.
One source said: "This is the largest cache we have found in two years." Saeed was "the most significant guy arrested in Iraq" by British forces.
Three militiamen were killed in the fire-fight when the cache was seized.
Although the operation began last weekend, details have not been disclosed until now because the family of Col John Crosby, who was killed during the raid, was still being contacted by the MoD.
Mr Browne said that the arrest of the militia gang leader and the discovery of the weapons had been conducted in conjunction with Iraqi security forces and was a sign of growing co-operation in Basra. "We got very important support from them, particularly in relation to intelligence," he said. "The situation in Basra is still difficult, but our ability to sustain political support allows us to do this sort of thing."
The development will add weight to suggestions of an early withdrawal of British troops.
Mr Browne admitted that Army recruitment could have been undermined by the deaths of British soldiers in Iraq. "If people say there's an Iraq factor, or a mother factor, I'm not in a position to contradict that," he said. "Of course, I can understand it."
My, but it's gonna suck to be that guy.
bttt
This I like. Thanks for posting.
Ping.
Are they lining up the virgins?
ping
Is it my imagination or are the Brit soldiers getting more macho?
Way to go, Brits!
"My, but it's gonna suck to be that guy."
True, and on a Fri. it is worth a moments thought, no matter how badly the rest of the month goes for me, at least I'm not him.
Great news! That's what we like to hear!!
We're losing some more?!
That's a bit of an insult is it not?
I am sure anyone who has ever saw the British Army in action will tell you there is not a more courageous or professional army anywhere in the world.
HOORAY FOR THE BRITS!!!
But what I like to know is, what happens to this guy. They gonna put him in jail where they gonna maje sure nobody is goinbg to put any panties on his head, or is somebody gonna find out who is financing this s*it?
It's Bush's fault.
They are going to torture him by making hims sit through a whole series of "Sex in the City" in one go.
Maybe that is far too cruel though?
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