Iraqi forces southwest of Diyala’s provincial capital of Baqubah seized a cache of explosives that was intended for use targeting citizens celebrating Eid, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said Thursday (July 7th).

“A joint force on Wednesday evening found an explosives vest and explosives at a house that is under construction during a security operation in Bani Saad area, 15 kilometres south-west of Baqubah," ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Saad Maan told Mawtani.

He said terror elements were planning to blow up the explosives amid civilians during Eid al-Fitr.

“The operation was based on accurate intelligence provided by citizens who co-operated with the security forces,” Maan said.

Iraqi forces also seized a large ammunition and explosives cache used by terror groups in northern Baghdad.

“The Iraqi army carried out a military operation in al-Tarmiya, northern Baghdad, and found a large ammunition and explosives cache containing 25 containers of C4, 38 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 18 sticky bombs, explosives of various types and forms, and one explosives vests,” the ministry said in a statement obtained by Mawtani.

“The army confiscated these items and opened an extensive investigation into the incident to identify the people who were frequenting the place,” the statement said.