Operation Steel Curtain Concludes Along Iraq-Syria BorderAmerican Forces Press Service
CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, Iraq, Nov. 22, 2005 – U.S. and Iraqi forces wrapped up Operation Steel Curtain today near the Iraq-Syria border, military officials here announced.
The 17-day offensive was conducted in the cities of Husaybah, Karabilah and Ubaydi, and was geared toward preventing al Qaeda in Iraq from operating in the Euphrates River Valley and throughout the country's Anbar province, officials noted.
As part of a larger operation called Operation Hunter, Steel Curtain made way for the establishment of a permanent Iraqi army security presence in the Qaim region. It also set the conditions for local citizens to vote in the upcoming Dec. 15 elections, officials said.
Steel Curtain ushered in the first large-scale operational use of the Iraqi army, officials said, employing about 1,000 soldiers in western Anbar province. The Iraqi soldiers conducted detailed clearing missions alongside their 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," a coalition spokesman said.
"Desert Protectors," specially trained local Iraqis, were recruited from the Qaim region and worked alongside the Iraqi army and U.S. units throughout 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," the spokesman said.
Officials reported that 10 Marines were killed in fighting during Steel Curtain. A total of 139 terrorists were killed and 256 were processed for detention during the operation.
"The porous Iraq-Syria border was identified as a main route for men, material and money to be transited into Iraq," the spokesman said, and 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, west of Ubaydi on the northern side of the Euphrates River.
"Iraqi army soldiers and U.S. forces will continue to maintain presence and increase efforts in securing the Iraq-Syria border," the spokesman said.
(From a Multinational Force Iraq news release.)
Al-Qaida In Iraq Denies Al-Zarqawi KilledUPDATED: 1:14 pm EST November 23, 2005
CAIRO, Egypt -- Al-Qaida in Iraq on Wednesday denied that its leader, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was among those killed in a weekend raid and gunfight in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.
The statement _ posted on an Islamic Web site that often carries militant reports _ came a day after a top U.S. commander in Iraq said he has "absolutely no reason" to believe al-Zarqawi had died.
The insurgents' denial followed a fierce gunbattle between Iraqi and U.S. soldiers on Saturday after the coalition forces received tips that al-Qaida members, possibly including al-Zarqawi, were inside a house in Mosul.
Three insurgents detonated explosives and killed themselves to avoid capture and five more died in fighting, the U.S. military said, adding that four Iraqi police officers also were killed.
Al-Qaida said it delayed responding to the rumors of al-Zarqawi's death "until this lie took its full length to let Muslims know the extent of (the media's) stupidity and shallow thinking." The statement could not be verified.
Iraqi officials said DNA tests were under way to determine if al-Zarqawi was among the dead, though the White House also said reports of al-Zarqawi's death were "highly unlikely and not credible."
Lt. Gen. John Vines, chief of the Multi-National Corps Iraq, confirmed Tuesday that U.S. officials have the ability to determine if al-Zarqawi was there.
The U.S. command said 11 American soldiers, nine Iraqi army troops and one policeman were wounded in the fighting.
But the al-Qaida statement said five people, including a woman, were in the house and the woman blew herself up among 20 Iraqi and U.S. soldiers to avoid arrest. It said the four men were killed when helicopters bombed the house, and 20 Iraqi and 15 U.S. soldiers were killed.
The Associated Press
Crawford protestors face off against cops
Updated: Nov 23, 2005 - 10:05am
A group of anti-war protesters returned to a roadside near President Bush's Central Texas ranch this morning. About two dozen protesters were lined up along the road by 9:00 AM. A large contingent of McLennan County Sheriff's deputies arrived a short time later to control the scene.
The president flew home to Texas and arrived last night at his Crawford ranch -- where he's expected to spend Thanksgiving.
Officials with the Crawford Peace House say antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan has a family emergency but should join the group Friday -- the day after Thanksgiving.
In August, Sheehan led a 26-day protest near the ranch. McLennan County commissioners in September imposed restrictions banning roadside parking within a seven-mile radius of Bush's ranch and prohibiting camping in any county ditch.
The Associated Press