February 23, 2005
Release Number: 05-02-14


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


IRAQI, U.S. FORCES CLASH WITH TERRORISTS IN HAQLANIYAH

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq – Iraqi and U.S. forces engaged terrorists throughout the day Feb. 23 in and around the city of Haqlaniyah, which included U.S. aircraft providing close air support to troops in contact with terrorists on two separate occasions.

At approximately 5 a.m., a U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunship expended 17 40 mm rounds in support of U.S. Marines from Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, who were engaged in combat with terrorists near the city.

At approximately 12:45 p.m., U.S. jets delivered two 500-pound bombs on insurgent fighting positions after terrorists ambushed a U.S. Marine patrol with small arms and heavy machine gun fire.

There were no U.S. casualties in either engagement.

Iraqi Soldiers from the Freedom Guards Battalion of the Iraqi National Guard, supported by U.S. Marines, detained three military-aged males at a mosque in Haqlaniyah at approximately 2:30 p.m.

U.S. forces detained 29 terrorists and seized several weapons caches during operations throughout Al Anbar province Feb. 23.

Those detained today bring to 87 the number of suspected terrorists detained since Operation River Blitz began Feb. 20.

The following weapons and munitions were seized today:

(14) AK-47 assault rifles

(15) RPG rounds

(3) RPG launchers

(4) Rifles (various types)

(1) Shotgun

(4) RPK machine guns

(1) Sub-machine gun (unidentified)

(1) Anti-aircraft gun

(1) Pistol

(300) 7.62 mm rounds

(94) 14.5 mm rounds

(161) 20 mm rounds

(5) 30 mm anti-aircraft rounds

(1) Complete 82 mm mortar system

(4) 120 mm mortar rounds

(2) 130 mm projectiles

(5) 155 mm artillery rounds

(11) Rockets (various types)

100 lbs. of rocket propellant

(96) Rifle grenades

(91) Hand grenades

(1) VBIED

Insurgent propaganda and materials to make improvised-explosive devices were also found with the weapons caches.

The seizure and subsequent destruction of the weapons cache disrupts anti-Iraqi forces’ ability to launch attacks against Iraqi and U.S. forces and civilians.

U.S. Soldiers and Marines from the U.S. Army’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, currently assigned to the 1st Marine Division, and Iraqi forces continue to conduct operations in and around the city of Ramadi.

U.S. Marines from Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, and Iraqi forces continue to conduct operations in western Al Anbar along the Euphrates River.

The 1st Marine Division of the I Marine Expeditionary Force stands committed with the Iraqi security forces in disrupting and defeating anti-Iraqi forces while providing enhanced security to the people of Al Anbar province.