A masked Iraqi policeman guards blindfolded detainees following their arrest in the southern city of Basra, November 23, 2004 
Posted on 11/23/2004 7:38:32 AM PST by anonymoussierra
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Some 5,000 U.S. Marines, British troops and Iraqi commandos launched a new offensive Tuesday aimed at clearing a swath of insurgent hotbeds south of Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
The joint operation kicked off with early morning raids in the town of Jabella in Babil province, netting 32 suspected insurgents, the U.S. military said in a statement. Jabella is 50 miles south of Baghdad.
Insurgent violence has increased in the areas south of the capital in "an apparent attempt to divert attention" away from the U.S-led assault on the militant stronghold of Fallujah, the military said.
The cluster of dusty, small towns located south of the capital, has been a major area for insurgent activity. U.S. and Iraqi forces have come under repeated attacks by car bombs, rockets, and small arms fire in the area.
The region has become known as a "triangle of death" for the numerous attacks by Sunni Muslim insurgents and criminal gangs on Shiites, Westerners and members of the Iraqi security services.
In the past three weeks, Iraqi troops and Marines have detained nearly 250 insurgents in the area, the statement said.
They have been aided by British forces from the 1st Battalion of the Black Watch Regiment, who were brought into the area from southern Basra to aid American forces in closing off militant escape routes between Baghdad, Babil province to the south and Anbar province to the west.
It would be the third major military offensive against insurgents since the massive Fallujah operation, which has claimed the lives of more than 50 U.S. soldiers and injured more than 400.
Earlier this month, the northern city of Mosul witnessed a mass insurgent uprising in apparent support of Fallujah's guerrillas. Some 2,400 U.S. troops were sent in to retake control over western parts of the city.
"May their aim be true and their bullets be swift. Godspeed to the heroes of the coalition.
Prairie"Thank you Be strong America persons!!!!
"If today, your job is to go up against 5000 US marines...it ain't gonna be a good day!"Thank you
I think it's an M240.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m240g.htm
Step aside liberal wimps.......GW is in da house!
It is a M240
"I heard this 3 hours ago. Is this another one?"No America good person Oldeconomybuyer write good Thank you
Thank you for your kind words. :-)
Don't you love the moose, my Uncle was named Moose, and for good reason. He could carry the load, any load, as required. Stories were legend about his feats of strength. We all have gifts, but when you need a moose, only a moose will do.
God Bless our men who are protecting us, and making the world a safer place for everyone.
I wonder if this is where they'll find Zarqawi. It was reported earlier that they had concrete information as to where he was.
A masked Iraqi policeman guards blindfolded detainees following their arrest in the southern city of Basra, November 23, 2004
And let me thank you in advance.
Thank you
Thank you America strong persons atack evil devil persons that is good!!
Time to Iraq and roll
Thank you and Poland for being steadfast allies.
At 6'6" and 240#, he ALWAYS wound up carrying the radio. Even though he was a butterbar.
Thank you write what United States good person Donald H.Rumsfeld talk I like that person that person is good strong Thank you
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And let me thank you in advance.":}}}}}}
My nephew is a Marine, currently stationed near Fallujah. Looking at pictures of the war is a bit unnerving for me. Prayers for them all.
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