Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051003.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 3, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-03
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPERATION IRON FIST BEGINS
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – A force of approximately 1,000 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team-2 launched an operation against a known terrorist sanctuary in the western al Anbar province town of Sadah, in the al Qaim region approximately 12 km. from the Syrian border.
Operation Kabda Bil Hadid, or Iron Fist in English, began in the early morning hours in order to root out al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating in the area and to disrupt terrorist support systems in and around the city.
For the past several months, terrorists within Sadah have escalated their intimidation and murder campaign against the local populace and city government officials. The resulting effect was an increased ability to move freely within the area and a base for them to launch attacks against innocent civilians, Iraqi Security forces and Coalition forces.
By interdicting foreign fighters flowing in from the Syrian border, the operation will also serve as a way to provide security for the upcoming referendum.
As with all coalition operations, strict measures are taken to prevent civilian casualties and unnecessary collateral damage to property.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT CEPAOWO@CEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL.
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Note: The following text is an exact quote:
---
http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20051005.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 3, 2005
Release Number: 05-10-05
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPERATION IRON FIST UPDATE
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – The first day of Operation Kabda Bil Hadid, or Iron Fist in English saw several successful engagements against al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating in and around Sadah, approximately 12 kilometers east of the Syrian border.
The operation continues with a force of approximately 1,000 Marines, Soldiers and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team-2. Coalition Forces, including helicopters from 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, engaged and killed eight armed terrorists in fighting early in the day Oct. 1.
During another engagement, terrorists drove two vehicles in the vicinity of a Marine position, dismounted and began to attack with small-arms fire. One of the vehicles was found to be rigged with explosives. The gun battle left four terrorists dead. The fifth surrendered to the Marines.
In the late morning, Marines discovered and destroyed a roadside bomb on the outskirts of Sadah. Shortly afterwards, a M1A1 Main Battle Tank destroyed a vehicle car bomb with one round from its main gun southwest of the city. North of Sadah, U.S. Forces killed three al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists after the group attacked their checkpoint with small-arms fire.
The eighth terrorist was killed when an AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter destroyed a vehicle after its driver fired on a Marine position with a rocket-propelled grenade. Another vehicle traveling with the attacker was seen to be carrying additional RPGs and was subsequently destroyed by missile fire from the Cobra. The driver and passenger escaped the blast.
No Marine casualties have been reported.
The goal of the operation is to root out al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating within the area and disrupting terrorist support systems in and around Sadah.
The offensive is part of an overall operation called Sayaid or Hunter in English, which is intended to deny al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists the ability to operate freely in the Euphrates River Valley and to prevent the terrorists from influencing the local population through murder and intimidation.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL FORCE-WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE AT CEPAOWO@CEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL.
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