Task Forces Turn Up Former Iraqi General, Weapons Caches

Gen. Matloob Muslat Sayer, a former high-ranking Baath Party official and paramilitary Fedayeen Saddam member, surrendered himself to Task Force All American, according to a CJTF 7 release. His action was a result of the task force's previous operations against former regime element networks," the release noted.

Sayer, his family and associates had reportedly been involved in recent attacks on coalition forces. Soldiers found two AK-47 assault rifles, nine AK-47 magazines and various improvised explosive device-making materials at his home in the Anbar province.

Over the past 24 hours, another CJTF release reported that the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse conducted 171 patrols and one raid, and captured 31 individuals. Six patrols were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi police, the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and the Border Guard.

Weapons and equipment confiscated in raids and patrols throughout the Task Force Ironhorse area of operation included 70 AK-47s, seven rifles, one shotgun, one machine gun, five pistols, one rocket propelled grenade launcher, 11 RPGs, 10 grenades, three land mines, 37 mortar rounds, three 40 mm rockets, more than 2,300 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and six improvised explosive devices.

Elsewhere, 82nd Airborne Division soldiers discovered two huge weapons caches during Jan. 17 operations in western Ramadi, according to a CJTF 7 news release. The discovery yielded four SA-7 missiles, 200 rocket-propelled grenades, 40 RPG launchers, thousands of rounds of small-caliber ammunition and mortars, more than 200 pounds of TNT and plastic explosives, and numerous other materials used in making improvised explosive devises.

U.S. Central Command reported that 4th Infantry Division's 8th Infantry Regiment troops captured seven suspected insurgents and seized six AK-47 assault rifles and magazines, one bayonet, one shotgun and one bolt-action rifle during a Jan. 17 mission conducted north of Balad.

On the same day, the division's 10th Cavalry Regiment soldiers found and confiscated 146 57 mm rockets near Kanan, CENTCOM reported. The rockets are slated for destruction.