Iraqi Police Intercept Donkey Carrying 52 Land Mines at Iran Border

Security forces in Iraq's Diyala province, a region that borders Iran, seized a donkey loaded with 52 land mines in early November 2006, according to local police speaking to news agencies.

The animal was being used to transport the explosives across the frontier when officers intercepted it near Baquba. Those guiding the smuggling run managed to retreat into Iranian territory before they could be detained, leaving the donkey in Iraqi custody. An officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the outcome: "We got the donkey."

The seizure took place against the backdrop of a deepening sectarian crisis in Iraq. American military commanders had at the time been publicly accusing Iranian agents of funneling weapons to Shiite militia groups, several of which maintained ties to parties in Iraq's ruling coalition.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.