Military: Raid seizes 'nearly new' Iranian-marked rockets, mortars in Mahmudiyah

Above: A weapons cache found in Iraq in late February contained infrared sensors, electronic triggering devices and information about plastic explosives used in bombs that the Americans say lead back to Iran. Left: Mortar rounds seized at the beginning of this month which the military says are of Iranian manufacture. The military said the weapons were found in a Mercedes parked outside a Sunni home. In recent weeks military leaders have said that Shia Iran is supplying not only Shia militias but also Sunni insurgents, including the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Mahmudiyah, Iraq – A U.S. and Iraqi raid in a Mahmudiyah apartment complex detained eight suspected extremists and discovered three caches containing mortar systems, rockets and ammunition April 22.

Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division and the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, from Fort Drum, N.Y., discovered the caches at about 6:30 p.m. local time.

Coalition forces have found many weapons caches in the Mahmudiyah area, but most rocket and mortar rounds found there have been deteriorated and apparently intended for use in improvised explosive devices.

In contrast, the 60mm and 82mm mortar systems, three 107mm rockets, three 60mm and three 82mm rounds found in the latest cache were nearly new.

Soldiers of the unit examined the weapons, which were stamped with recent dates and Iranian markings.

Also found was bulk ammunition for a PKC machine gun. The munitions were seized for further investigation.

The detainees were taken into Iraqi Army custody for further questioning.

From an MNF Report

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