Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17813&Itemid=128
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080325-04
March 25, 2008
Hillah SWAT detains suspected terrorist, discovers large cache 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO Multi-National Division – Center PAO
HILLAH, Iraq – Hillah Special Weapons and Tactics and Iraqi Police forces, working with Coalition forces, detained one individual and discovered a large weapons cache while conducting patrols in the Hamza and Hashimiyah areas March 22.
The detained individual is accused of directing the planting of improvised explosive devices on routes used by Iraqi security forces and Coalition forces.
The cache contained multiple rockets of various sizes, anti-personnel mines, hundreds of rocket propelled grenade rounds, mortar rounds, hand grenades and other materials, including 22 122 mm rockets with 50 complete rail systems, 200 pounds of C-4 explosives, 15 120 mm mortar rounds, 20 Katyusha rounds and three RPG launchers.
The find resulted from a joint patrol consisting of several vehicles from both Hillah SWAT and Coalition forces.
SWAT members conducted a thorough search of the area, finding large amounts of munitions after searching buildings in the industrial area.
There have been numerous attacks on ISF in the area over a period of years,, dating back to at least 2004, including complex attacks using a combination of RPGs, IEDs and mortars, which have killed and wounded several ISF members.
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Note: To read the full report click on the link below.
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ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT - REPORT SNIPPET - QUOTE:
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php
Weekly Piracy Report
18-24 March 2008
The following is a summary of the daily reports broadcast by the IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre to ships in Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Ocean Regions on the SafetyNET service of Inmarsat-C from 18 to 24 March 2008.
ALERT
Chittagong anchorage, Bangladesh
The number of attacks has reduced since 2006. However, the area is still listed as a high risk area and mariners are advised to be cautious especially while approaching the anchorage and while at anchor at Chittagong
Nigeria
Violent attacks carried out by pirates on board vessels at anchor and vessel carrying out STS operations. Mariners are advised to exercise extreme caution in these waters.
Suspicious crafts
None reported
Recently reported incidents
23.03.2008: 0055 LT: Tema anchorage, Ghana.
Three robbers boarded a chemical tanker at anchor. Duty crew noticed the robbers. Bridge informed. D/O raised alarm, sounded ship’s whistle and crew mustered. Robbers jumped into the water and escaped. Nothing stolen. Port control informed. A security boat came and conducted a full search of the area.
19.03.2008: 0312 UTC: 10:46.8N - 066:44.5E, Arabian sea.
A tanker, underway detected a suspicious boat about 6nm ahead. As the tanker altered to keep clear of the boat, the boat kept altering to remain in front of the vessel. Alarm raised, crew mustered and anti-piracy measures initiated. Master increased speed and crew activated fire hoses. At a distance of 3 cables, the boat finally stopped and the tanker and moved away. The crew noticed 6 persons onboard the boat.
19.03.2008: 0300 LT: Tanga anchorage, Tanzania.
A robber from a fishing boat boarded an anchored container ship. The robber jumped overboard as soon as the anti-piracy crew spotted him. Alarm raised, crew mustered and searched the ship. Nothing stolen. The watch keepers noticed seven more people in the boat.
18.03.2008: 0350 UTC: 12:53.2N-050:14.7E: Gulf of Aden.
Two speedboats, length 5 meters, with five persons in each boat, dressed in camouflage cloths and armed with automatic weapons approached a VLCC in ballast. Master raised alarm, crew alerted, evasive manoeuvres taken and speed increased. The boats fired shots in the air. Later, the boats aborted the attempted boarding. All vessels in the vicinity warned.
17.03.2008: 0230 LT: Enroute Cagbalite, Mituban and Balisen, Polilio Island, Philippines.
A passenger boat with ten passenger including five crewmembers was returning to Polilio Island after discharging her cargo on the mainland. Two passengers who had earlier boarded after asking for a ride to Polilio Island took control of the boat and shot dead three crewmembers including the captain. The pirates then tied them to the anchor and threw them overboard. The pirates shot the remaining two-crew members and injured them. One of the injured jumped into the sea and is still missing. The other injured crew is recuperating in the hospital. Three other passengers including a child were unharmed. The coast guard has mounted a search for the missing and dead crewmembers and the pirates who fled in a motor boat.