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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=20051020.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
October 6, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION RIVER GATE UPDATE

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – Approximately 350 Iraqi Security Force Soldiers and Coalition Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team – 2 continued Operation Bawwabatu Annaher, River Gate in English, in the cities of Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana.

Iraqi Soldiers provide security for Haditha General Hospital’s patients and personnel. The hospital is the largest medical facility in Western Al Anbar, and was targeted last spring by a suicide car bomber.

Operation River Gate began Oct. 4 with predawn air strikes on the Dulab, Haditha and Barwana bridges which span the Euphrates River. The strikes were carefully executed to disable the bridges and limit the terrorists’ ability to flee the cities.

Early this morning, Marines detained a man in Barwana for possession of a mortar system. At noon in Haditha, Iraqi Security Forces and Marines discovered a roadside bomb which consisted of two 155 mm artillery rounds. The bomb was destroyed in place without incident. This is the third such device found since yesterday morning.

Since the operation commenced Oct. 4, six Al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists have been killed in the fighting. Approximately 110 men suspected of terrorist activity have been detained.

Essential services such as electricity, water and access to medical care have not been disrupted by the ongoing operation.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

For more information, contact the 1st Marine Division Public Affairs Officer at VandenBosscheKS@gcenbf-wiraq.usmc.mil.
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