Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051199.txt
NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
November 21, 2005
Release Number: 05-11-99
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPERATION BRUINS CONCLUDES
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq – Approximately 150 Iraqi Army Soldiers and 300 Marines and Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (2 BCT) and 2nd Marine Division concluded Operation Dhibbah (Bruins) in northern ar Ramadi Nov. 20.
The operation netted several weapons caches used by al-Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists to conduct direct attacks on Iraqi Army, U.S. forces and Ramadi citizens and to build hundreds of roadside bombs.
The caches were found Nov. 20, in a sweep through northern Ramadi. Plastic explosives, artillery and mortar shells, fuses and remote and pressure sensitive detonators were among the items found.
Marines conducting a combat patrol in support of the operation were attacked by a roadside bomb. There were no casualties or damage from the bomb which targeted the fourth armored Humvee in the column.
Marines were also attacked with a single rocket-propelled grenade while on patrol on the perimeter of the cordon area. The grenade impacted near the al Qudar Mosque but caused no casualties and limited damage.
Twenty-one rocket launchers and 43 rounds of RPG ammunition were discovered along with 23 medium machine guns, three sniper rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Thirty-two black ski masks were also found in this cache.
Operation Bruins was part of a series of disruption operations in Ramadi designed to set the conditions for successful elections in December.
Attacks against Iraqi and U.S. forces in the Ramadi area have decreased 60 percent in the last few weeks, as a result of these ongoing operations.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE TASK FORCE BAGHDAD PUBLIC AFFAIRS PLANS AND OPERATIONS NCO, SGT. FIRST CLASS DAVID ABRAMS AT: DAVID.ABRAMS@ID3.ARMY.MIL.
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Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=200511100.txt
NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
November 22, 2005
Release Number: 05-11-100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPERATION STEEL CURTAIN CONCLUDES
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq –Iraqi Army Soldiers and Marines, Soldiers and Sailors with Regimental Combat Team –2 wrapped up Operation Al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) today near the Syrian border.
The 17-day offensive, which took place in the cities of Husaybah, Karabilah and Ubaydi, was part of the larger Operation Sayaid (Hunter) designed to prevent al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists from operating in the Euphrates River Valley and throughout al Anbar province. The operation made way for the establishment of a permanent Iraqi Army security presence in the al Qaim region and set the conditions for local citizens to vote in the upcoming Dec.15 elections.
Operation Steel Curtain ushered in the first large-scale operational employment of the Iraqi Army, approximately 1,000 Soldiers, in western al Anbar province. The Iraqi Soldiers conducted detailed clearing missions alongside Coalition counterparts and began establishing permanent bases within these three cities. Forces at these outposts will prevent the al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists from regaining a presence in these cities and threatening local residents with their murder and intimidation campaign.
Integration of locally recruited Iraqi Army Soldiers in al Anbar was introduced by the arrival of the Desert Protectors. The Desert Protectors were recruited from the al Qaim region and worked alongside the Iraqi Army and U.S. units throughout the course of the operation. Their familiarity with the area and its people was crucial in identifying friend from foe and enabled their Iraqi and Coalition partners to better understand the geographical complexities of the region.
Ten Marines were killed in fighting during Operation Steel Curtain. Since the operation began 139 terrorists were killed and 256 processed for detention.
The porous Iraq-Syria border was identified as a main route for men, material and money to be transited into Iraq. The western Euphrates River Valley region was known to be a major artery for al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists. Iraqi Soldiers and U.S. forces moved in on Husaybah the morning of Nov. 5, followed shortly thereafter by Karabilah, Ubaydi and winding up clearing the Ramana region.
Iraqi Army Soldiers and U.S. forces will continue to maintain presence and increase efforts in securing the Iraq-Syria border.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE 2D MARINE DIVISION PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER AT POOLJS@GCEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL.
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