One military source said more than a dozen US-made Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPGs) launchers were found along with AK47s, about 15 boxes of anti-aircraft rounds, small arms and thousands of bullets.

He said US-made decontamination kits, used in case of chemical attack, were among the cache but the kits had expired. Documents were also seized.

"It was a successful raid and could serve as a model for the future," he said. "We identified the Baath Party headquarters and targeted it specifically and not a shot was fired on our behalf," he said.

WAR.WIRE