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Newswire CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq – Approximately 1,000 Iraqi Army Soldiers and 2,500 Marines, Sailors and Soldiers continue Operation Steel Curtain in Husaybah, near the Iraq-Syria border. The force is moving through the city to restore security along the border and destroy the al Qaeda in Iraq's terrorist network operating throughout the region. Husaybah is one of the main centers for transiting foreign fighters, equipment and money into Iraq. The Iraqi and U.S. forces have encountered sporadic resistance – mostly small arms fire and improvised explosive devices - from al Qaeda in Iraq-led terrorists throughout the city. Members of the Iraqi scout platoons, specially recruited soldiers from the al Qaim region, are embedded with U.S. and Iraqi infantry companies and are helping to identify terrorist strong points and areas known to contain these homemade bombs. A combination of six bombs and mines has been discovered so far. Additionally, a suspected suicide car bomb was destroyed this morning by a Coalition air strike. A total of nine Coalition air strikes have been conducted on enemy strong points throughout the day. Only buildings occupied by terrorists firing on Marines and Iraqi Soldiers have been targeted. As with all coalition operations, strict measures are taken to prevent civilian casualties and unnecessary collateral damage to property. The number of terrorists killed in the strikes is unconfirmed at this time. Iraqi Soldiers established a temporary lodging area in a vacant housing district in Husaybah to be used by residents who have been temporarily displaced by the operation. Iraqi and Coalition forces have accepted approximately 400 residents and are providing them with billeting, food and security. There are no reports of Iraqi Soldier, civilian or U.S. military fatalities. The offensive is part of Operation Sayaid (Hunter), designed to deny al Qaeda in Iraq the ability to operate in the Euphrates River Valley and to establish a permanent security presence along the Syrian border. By eliminating terrorist influence in and around Husaybah, Coalition and Iraqi security forces are providing a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people in that region to vote in the Dec. 15 national elections. Other News: TWO TERRORISTS KILLED IN RECENT AIR STRIKES IDENTIFIED BAGHDAD, Iraq – As reported Oct. 31, Coalition forces acting on multiple intelligence sources and tips from concerned citizens, conducted a series of raids on suspected terrorist and foreign fighter safe houses to capture or kill terrorists operating in and near the towns of Karabilah and Ubaydi. During the raids, Coalition forces destroyed safe houses with air strikes using precision guided munitions. Coalition forces can now confirm the death of two key al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist leaders who were killed during those air strikes. These terrorists operated in the Husaybah, Karabilah, Ubaydi, and Al Qaim region. They are: Abu Umar, a senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist leader and foreign fighter facilitator who was the commander of several terrorist cells in the Ubaydi, Husaybah, and al Qaim region. Sources report that he had just replaced Abu Asil who was killed in a coalition air strike a few days prior. He assisted Abu Asil in the smuggling of foreign fighters in the to al Qaim region. He also directed, planned and executed many of the terrorist attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces, to include VBIED and IED attacks. Abu Hamza, was a senior al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist cell leader who was the commander of several terrorist cells in the Husaybah and Karabilah areas. Sources report that he was also a close confidant of the al Qaeda in Iraq military commander in Husaybah. He also planned and executed many of the terrorist attacks on Iraqi and Coalition forces in the region, to include VBIED, IED, mortar and direct attacks. It was reported that he and his terrorist cells were also responsible for recent terrorist attacks against Camp Gannon, in Husaybah. WEAPONS CACHE FOUND TIKRIT, Iraq – A Task Force Band of Brothers patrol near Forward Operating Base Anaconda discovered two weapons caches containing timers, watches and other items commonly used in constructing IEDs early Nov. 5. The seizure also yielded nearly 30 large caliber artillery shells, more than a dozen rockets, five rocket-propelled grenade launchers, a mortar tube, a machine gun and small arms ammunition. An explosive ordinance disposal team collected the weapons and conducted a controlled detonation of the shells and rockets. Copyright © MichNews.com. All Rights Reserved.
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