LOC10:20
07:20 GMT
BAGHDAD, Nov 18 (KUNA) -- Iraqi security forces and US troops have made
significant progress against Al-Qaeda in four provinces in northern Iraq as a
result of the two-week "Operation Iron Hammer," a Multi-National Forces press
release said.
The MNF statement, released on Sunday, said the operation to disrupt
Al-Qaeda involved three U.S. brigade combat teams and four Iraqi Army
divisions.
"During the operation, coalition forces and Iraqi security forces have
undermined Al-Qaeda operations and discovered more than 50 caches across the
Multi-National Division-North area of operations. The caches contained more
than 500 mortar and artillery rounds, three tons of homemade explosives,
countless IED-making materials, hundreds of anti-tank and personnel mines and
more than 100 machine guns," it added.
Other than the weapons found, coalition forces and Iraqi security forces
discovered various documents, related information material and detained
hundreds of suspected Al-Qaeda members.
Iraqi security forces reported Iraqi citizens feel more confident and
secure, it added.
"Every day the streets of Mosul are becoming more vibrant with shop
keepers, as we provide increased security for the Iraqi people," said
Brigadier General Moutaa Habeeb Jassim Jewab, commander of 2nd Iraqi Army
Division, whose division was among those involved in the operation.
On November 11, the US army announced that it detained 200 armed men during
the Iron Hammer operation which was carried out in the Diyali province,
Salahiddine, Mosul and Kirkuk. (end)
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KUNA 181020 Nov 07NNNN