Free Republic

November 23, 2004 Release Number: 04-11-80 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARINE UNIT CONTINUES OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS IN JABELLAFORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq -- Iraqi Security Forces, backed by elements of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, increased operations today in the south-central Iraqi town of Jabella. Operations, which started earlier this morning, continued the campaign in the northern Babil province aimed at rooting out anti-Iraqi forces. The combined Iraqi-U.S. force captured 32 suspected insurgents, including a number of high-interest individuals, in a series of early-morning raids approximately 50 miles south of Baghdad. Jabella is among several cities and towns in the province that...

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Some 5,000 U.S. Marines, British troops and Iraqi commandos launched a new offensive Tuesday aimed at clearing a swath of insurgent hotbeds south of Baghdad, the U.S. military said. The joint operation kicked off with early morning raids in the town of Jabella in Babil province, netting 32 suspected insurgents, the U.S. military said in a statement. Jabella is 50 miles south of Baghdad. Insurgent violence has increased in the areas south of the capital in "an apparent attempt to divert attention" away from the U.S-led assault on the militant stronghold of Fallujah, the military said. The...