CENTCOM NEWS RELEASES

August 21, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-41

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONE SOLDIER KILLED, TWO WOUNDED IN AN IED ATTACK

BAGHDAD, Iraq – A 1st Armored Division solider was killed and two were wounded by an improvised explosive device in the Karkah district of Baghdad at 11 p.m. on Aug. 20.

The soldiers were evacuated to the 47th Forward Support Battalion for treatment. One soldier was pronounced dead at 11:50 p.m.

The soldiers’ names are being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.


August 21, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-43

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WEAPONS, IED CONFISCATED, DESTROYED

BAGHDAD, Iraq-Coalition forces continued to confiscate and destroy weapons and improvised explosive devices throughout Iraq on Aug. 20.

Acting on a tip from a local source, 4th Infantry Division searched a weapons cache in the Abu Huraybish area. Confiscated weapons included 200 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, two 60 mm mortar tubes, six 60 mm mortar rounds, artillery propellant, one AK-47, one rocket-propelled grenade, one rocket-propelled grenade sight, two mortar sights, one sniper scope and four bayonets. Three individuals were detained at the site for questioning.

First Armored Division soldiers spotted an individual on a rooftop in the Baghdad area with an AK-47. A patrol sent to the building, confiscated the AK-47, nine AK-47 magazines and more than 180 rounds of 7.62 ammunition.

Meanwhile, attacks were prevented when 1st AD soldiers found two improvised explosive devices in Baghdad. Two of the IEDs consisted of four artillery rounds with attached wires leading to a concealed position behind a tree. An explosive ordnance detonation team safely defused both IEDs. Additionally, acting on information received from a local source, an EOD team safely removed an IED consisting of one grenade and one 120 mortar round from an area near a government building.

Acting on information from a local source, the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force discovered a weapons cache in the Babil Province with enough equipment to make more than 200 IEDs, The cache consisted of eight rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 300 pounds of dynamite, blasting caps and wire. Additionally in the Babil Province area, 1 MEF confiscated 50 anti-tank guided missiles, multiple cluster bombs units and rockets.

In the last 24 hours, coalition forces conducted 20 raids, 879 day patrols and 656 night patrols. The units also conducted 216 day patrols and 189 night patrols jointly with Iraqi police


August 21, 2003
Release Number: 03-08-42

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANOTHER "IRAQI TOP 55" IN COALITION CUSTODY

MACDILL AFB, Tampa - GEN Ali Hasan al-Majid "Chemical Ali" has been captured and is in custody of Coalition Forces.

Ali Hasan al-Majid was the former Revolutionary Command Council Commander and he is listed as #5 on the U.S. Central Command "Iraqi Top 55."

Coalition forces will continue to work at apprehending former members of Saddam Hussein's regime.