U.S.-Allied Islamic Party’s Headquarters Bombed
MNF-I:
BAGHDAD – The headquarters of a political organization opposed to Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups was bombed last night in the Adhamiyah neighborhood on the Iraqi capital’s east side.
An improvised explosive device made with approximately 35 pounds of homemade explosives was detonated outside the headquarters building of the Adhamiyah Islamic Party just before Oct. 20. The blast caused no injuries and only minor damage.
Prominent members of the Islamic Party political organization have allied with Coalition Forces in recent months to oppose terrorist groups operating in Adhamiyah. Officials with the U.S. unit operating in the area said the bombing was most likely a response to the increased pressure put on terrorist groups by the Islamic Party.
When Soldiers from the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment responded to the bombing a guard at the building tipped them off to the location of a sizable insurgent weapons cache in a residence nearby. The guard was one of the hundreds of new Iraqi Security Volunteers who have been hired and trained by Coalition Forces to provide security at critical sites throughout Adhamiyah.
The cache consisted of a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, an RPK machine gun, two 130mm projectiles, three 100mm projectiles, a sniper scope, detonation cord, ski masks and ammunition.
“This shows that Adhamiyah residents will not be deterred or intimidated from taking a stand against terrorists who threaten the safety of their community,” said Lt. Col. David Oclander, executive officer for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.