An Iraqi citizen led Iraqi Army Soldiers to a weapons cache in the Sadr City district of Baghdad Aug. 4.

“We saved a lot of lives tonight,” said Maj. Gen. Muzer, commander of the 11th Iraqi Army Division. “We will never know how many, but this is something of which we can be proud.”

Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 42nd Brigade, 11th Iraq Army Division, found the cache at approximately 7:30 p.m. The cache consisted of 28 107 mm Iranian rockets; one 107 mm Chinese rocket; seven 122 mm Russian rockets; 63 60 mm Iranian mortars; one 240 mm warhead; 25 Chinese fuses; 25 Iranian fuses; a propellant charge for a rocket propelled grenade; one 120 mm mortar tube; two Iranian 60 mm mortar tubes; one 81 mm mortar tube; eight 107 mm rocket launchers; eight mortar sights; improvised explosive device-making materials, and video tapes of attacks on Iraqi Security and Coalition forces.

The weapons cache consisted of new Iranian munitions with a manufacture date of early 2008. Both the 107 mm and 122 mm rocket types were used against the International Zone and civilian populace throughout Baghdad during late March and early May. There were approximately 1,100 rockets fired, resulting in 149 civilian casualties in that timeframe.

“This is a significant find not only because the IA has successfully eliminated a large cache of Iranian weapons, but also because this was entirely an Iraqi operation, supported by Iraqi citizens, deep in Sadr City where the IA operate independently of their U.S. advisors,” said Lt. Col. Steve Stover, public affairs officer for 4th Infantry Division and Multi National Division-Baghdad.

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ISOF kill two suspected terrorists in Diyala Province

Iraqi Special Operations Forces killed two suspected terrorists in Diyala Province July 17 during an operation to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq activity in the region.

As the ISOF approached the suspects, one of the suspects raised his hands while the other reached for a suicide vest. Perceiving hostile intent, the ISOF engaged the men, killing both suspects.

The two suspects were allegedly part of an AQI cell with at least 20 members, including foreign fighters. The cell is said to conduct mortar attacks and murders against Iraqi civilians and improvised explosive device attacks against Coalition forces. Reports indicate the cell moves at night and uses “spider holes” by the canal to emplace IEDs. Reports also indicate many of the terrorists manning these positions wear suicide vests or control the IED triggers.

A Coalition force explosive ordnance disposal team safely destroyed the suicide vest.

Baghdad National ERB detains two suspected Special Groups criminals, kills six

Baghdad National Emergency Response Brigade detained two suspected Special Groups criminals and killed six during an operation in Baghdad July 20.

In Sadr City, the ERB detained a suspected Special Groups criminal leader and an associate believed to be responsible for supplying lethal weapons to other Special Groups criminals in Baghdad.

One of the suspected criminals is said to be the leader of a cell responsible for multiple attacks against Coalition forces in the area and for seeking lethal weapons from Iran.

After detaining the suspects, ERB proceeded to a suspected cache site located in the New Baghdad district and came under attack, returning fire and killing two. After a brief cease fire, ERB came under fire again from elements within the building and called for close air support from Coalition forces. Coalition aircraft fired 40 and 105 mm rounds at the building, when a large explosion occurred, leading the team to believe it contained a weapons cache.

While assessing the building, ERB continued to come under attack. Three suspected criminals fled into an adjacent building while four others were killed during the exchange of gunfire.

“The Baghdad National ERB demonstrated its ability to execute precision operations in support of the Government of Iraq’s efforts to disrupt Special Groups criminal activities in Baghdad,” said Lt. Col. Neil Harper, a Multi-National Corps – Iraq.

Iraqi Army soldiers working to secure the area in the Sadr City district of Baghdad uncovered weapons caches July 9.

At approximately 2 p.m., Iraqi Army soldiers seized four 120 mm mortars, an 82 mm mortar, a 60 mm mortar and four 30 mm rockets. The weapons were later turned in to Mulit-National Division Soldiers at a joint security station.

At approximately 7:15 p.m., soldiers with the 44th Brigade, 11th Iraqi Army Division, found 171 copper blocks. [ed. note - used for IEDs]

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Iraqi Army Soldiers seized numerous weapons caches in the Sadr City district of Baghdad June 25.

Iraqi Army Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraq Army Division uncovered 11, 82 mm rounds and nine fuses in a school courtyard at approximately 7 a.m.

At approximately 11 a.m., Soldiers from the same unit discovered two AK-47 magazines and one tank scope. They also found two 82 mm rounds, five anti-tank mines, six 60 mm rounds, 11 rocket-propelled grenade rounds, 30 AK-47 rounds and command wire approximately one hour later.

Soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Iraq Army Division found a cache behind a mosque consisting of four explosively formed projectiles.

Since May 20, the Iraqi Army has uncovered 205 weapons and munitions caches, including more than 150 improvised explosive devices and 100 EFPs.

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Here’s a collection of photos taken by American troops as they patrol the Jamilla Market area of Sadr City in Baghdad. It looks pretty friendly.

An Iraqi boy enjoys a popsicle on a hot day in the Jameela Market of the Sadr City district of Baghdad on June 16. Photographer: Tech Sgt. Cohen Young

Horse carts and motor vehicles both share the road in the bustling markets of Jamilla, Iraq, June 16. Photographer: Spc. Daniel Herrera

An Iraqi farmer weighs bundles of onions at the Jamilla Wholesale Market in Jamilla, Iraq, June 16.

U.S. Army Military policeman, Sgt. Matt Radcliffe of Colorado Springs, Colo., and a member of the 3rd Battalion Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo., gives a high five to a young Iraqi girl while Army Spc. Martin watches during a patrol through the Thawra 1 neighborhood of the Sadr City District of Baghdad, June 16.

Iraqi farmers quickly toss watermelons as they set the produce up for customers at Jamilla Market near Sadr City, Iraq, June 16.