Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050510.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
May 9, 2005
Release Number: 05-05-10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 INSURGENTS SUSPECTED DEAD AFTER GUN BATTLE
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Two insurgents were confirmed killed and another 21 suspected dead after a five-hour gun battle in the Laghman province Sunday.
Two U.S. Marines also lost their lives in the fighting.
Marines, conducting support and stability operations in the area, received reports of insurgent activity near their location Sunday. As the Marines maneuvered toward the insurgents to investigate approximately 25 individuals attacked them.
The Marines came under attack from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. As the fighting continued the insurgents split into two groups, one of which fled to a village and the others to a cave on a nearby ridgeline. U.S. Air Force A-10 aircraft engaged the insurgents in the cave and a squad of Marines went afterwards to assess the situation. The two Marines were killed while clearing the cave area.
"You did not need to meet these Marines to know them," said Col. Chris Blanchard, the officer in charge of the Marine Coordination Element at Combined Joint Task Force-76. "If you know any Marine, you know that they died courageously to protect all of us from the threat of terrorism. We mourn their deaths and extend our prayers to their families and loved ones."
The names of the deceased are being with held pending notification of next of kin.
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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=20050511.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
May 10, 2005
Release Number: 05-05-11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARINE COMBAT OPERATIONS IN AL ANBAR PROVINCE
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq – Marines, Sailors and Soldiers from Regimental Combat Team-2, 2nd Marine Division, are continuing combat operations in northwestern Al Anbar province.
The offensive is aimed at eliminating terrorist and foreign fighters from the area. The region, a known smuggling route and sanctuary for foreign fighters, is also used as a staging area where foreign fighters receive weapons and equipment for their attacks in the more populated key cities of Baghdad, Ramadi, Fallujah and Mosul.
Soldiers from the Army's 814th Multi-Role Bridge Company constructed a pontoon bridge across the Euphrates River where intelligence reports indicate the enemy is located 9 May. Marines crossed over from the southern banks to the north and are now operating in the northern Jazirah Desert and are in pursuit of the enemy.
Terrorists attempted to launch a counter-attack seven kilometers from Camp Gannon, in Al Qaim May 9. Terrorists attacked a Marine convoy with small arms fire, RPGs, roadside bombs and two suicide car bombers. One car bomb damaged an armored humvee. The second suicide car bomber was destroyed by a Marine M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank. No Marines were killed in the attack. The two car bombers died in the engagement.
Ten terrorists, who surrendered to the Marines, are at a nearby detention center.
Coalition and Marine Corps aircraft are participating in the operation.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
For additional information regarding this release, contact the II MEF public affairs office via email at CEPAOWO@cemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil
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