IRAQ: Iraqi forces seize major cache of weapons in Baghdad and blast hits oil pipeline in Samarra

Record ID: 344439

  • Title: IRAQ: Iraqi forces seize major cache of weapons in Baghdad and blast hits oil pipeline in Samarra
  • Date: 27th March 2006
  • Summary: IRAQI ARMY OFFICER HANDCUFFING HANDS OF MAN
  • Embargoed: 11th April 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Iraq
  • Country: Iraq
  • Topics: Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVABEPWOXTSIU5993UGOGCV1455V
  • Story Text: Iraqi army raided on Sunday (March 26) houses in Baghdad's dangerous western district of Amiriya, in a major swoop aimed at rooting out insurgency.
    Supported by U.S.forces, the 6th Division of the 5th Battalion of the Iraqi Army, swept through the area, searching houses and detaining a number of suspects, who were later released after a brief interrogation.
    A large number of weapons, ammunitions and military uniforms were seized during the raid.
    "We are now in full control of the area," said Lieutenant Mohammed Ubais Ridha.
    The raid started at 0700 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) and lasted for nearly six hours.
    Amiriya, one of Baghdad's most dangerous Sunni Arab neighbourhoods, is located near the road that links the city to the airport and can be considered the capital's most perilous stretch of concrete. The area is a frequent site for attacks on U.S. and Iraqi security forces.
    Also on Sunday, an oil pipeline linking two of Iraq's major refineries was attacked near the restive Sunni city of Samarra, north of Baghdad.
    Residents of the area said a powerful blast was heard at dawn. Huge flames and thick black smoke billowed into the air. The pipeline links the Baji Refinery in northern Iraq with al-Dora Refinery in Baghdad
    The cause of the blast was unknown.
    The cluster of pipelines, a crucial source of power for the capital, has been targeted by relentless attacks, which are an important part of the insurgency's activities and have slowed the country's recovery.

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