CENTCOM PRESS RELEASES

July 17, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-53

MASS GRAVE FOUND IN AL HATRA

MOSUL, Iraq – The remains of an estimated 200 people were found by soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) recently in a mass grave in Al Hatra, about 40 miles south of Mosul.

A mass grave assessment team, including members of the division's Criminal Investigation Division and Division Surgeon sections, confirmed the find by partially excavating the site located on a slight depression on the edge of a wadi, or dry riverbed.

Two pieces of clothing were found at approximately six-feet deep and multiple remains were uncovered at approximately 10-feet deep. About 25 sets of human remains were pulled from the hole, with an unknown number still buried.

According to reports gathered from local civilians and estimates based on the size of the depression as many as 200 to 400 bodies could be buried there.

The team now has help from specialists from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, a Department of Defense asset, which arrived in Mosul July 14.

July 17, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-54

WEAPONS CACHES SEIZED IN SODA MOUNTAIN RAIDS

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The 4th Infantry Division seized an extensive amount of weapons in Operation Soda Mountain in support of the effort to create a secure environment in Iraq.

In the last 24 hours, the 4th Infantry Division conducted 14 raids which resulted in 282 AK 47s, 501 grenades, 10 pistols, 20 mortar rounds, 54 crates of C4 explosives, 250,000 blasting caps, and a large amount of small arms ammunition confiscated and 30 individuals detained.

Since the beginning of the operation on July 12, the 4th ID has conducted 85 raids and detained 482 individuals, including 48 individuals identified as key former regime loyalist leaders.

The 1st Armored Division secured 437 sites and conducted 1,059 patrols. The division detained 61 people. Additionally, the 1st AD conducted 92 special escort missions. Some of the special escort missions include escorting members of the New Iraqi Army to their training sites, escorting VIP visitors escorting new Baghdad city council members and escorting government employees.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 40 raids, 1,048-day patrols and 844-night patrols. They also
jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 158-day patrols and 137-night patrols. Independently, the Iraqi Police conducted eight-day patrols and two night patrols.

The total raids and patrols resulted in 206 arrests for various criminal activities including four for murder, five for car jacking, 10 for aggravated assault, 13 for burglary and two for looting.

July 18, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-55

SAILOR DIES FROM NON-HOSTILE GUNSHOT WOUND

AL HAMISHIYAH, Iraq -- A Navy sailor from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force died yesterday from a non-hostile gunshot wound.

The sailor was treated at the scene but died before arriving at a nearby medical facility.

The sailor’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The incident is under investigation.

July 18, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-56

OPERATION SODA MOUNTAIN CONCLUDES

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Operation Soda Mountain ended on July 17 with Coalition forces successfully achieving the objectives of neutralizing subversive individuals and removing potential enemy weapons from Iraq.

Coalition forces conducted 141 raids resulting in 611 individuals detained, including 62 former regime leaders. Additionally, Coalition forces captured 4,297 mortar rounds, 1,346 rocket-propelled grenades and 635 weapons as well as various other weapons.

Operation Soda Mountain, which followed Operations Peninsula Strike, Desert Scorpion and Sidewinder, continued the common purpose to deter, disrupt or defeat enemy attacks. Additionally, the operation served to identify and fund additional stability projects designed to provide or enhance long-term stability throughout Iraq.

In other activity, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) continued training and equipping Iraqi security forces, the Iraqi police force, New Iraqi Army personnel, Iraqi Border Guards, Facility Protection Services, Joint Integrated Security Company and the New Iraqi Security Forces, in order to transition responsibilities for a safe and secure environment to an Iraqi force.

The 1st Armored Division continued to support the payments to former members of the Iraqi Army by providing security. To date, more than 9,000 former soldiers have been paid.

Elsewhere, Coalition forces continued aggressive patrols throughout the country over the last 24 hours conducting 25 raids, 1,128-day patrols and 938-night patrols. They also
jointly patrolled with the Iraqi Police conducting 131-day patrols and 151-night patrols. Independently, the Iraqi Police conducted nine-day patrols.

The total raids and patrols resulted in 270 arrests for various criminal activities including one for murder, one for kidnapping, five for car jacking, 10 for aggravated assault, eight for burglary and seven for looting.

July 18, 2003
Release Number: 03-07-57

SOLDIER KILLED IN EXPLOSION

FALLUJAH, Iraq – A 3rd Infantry Division soldier was killed today as his vehicle passed an Improvised Explosive Device west of Fallujah.

The vehicle was traveling east near a traffic circle when a command-detonated IED exploded, causing a one-and-a-half foot crater in the road. The vehicle took the brunt of the impact. The vehicle crossed two lanes and went off the edge of the road.

No other soldiers were wounded in the attack.

The name of the soldier is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.