NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — insurgency — 2005 — 05-sept-dec — Viewing Item

Iraqi forces launch offensive in western iraq Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-11-05T065516Z_01_SPI524788_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-OFFENSIVE.xml http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-11-05T065516Z_01_SPI524788_RTRUKOC_0_US-IRAQ-OFFENSIVE.xml US, Iraqi forces launch offensive in western Iraq Sat Nov 5, 2005 1:55 AM ET BAGHDAD (Reuters) - About 3,500 U.S. and Iraqi soldiers launched a major offensive on Saturday in western Iraq to track down insurgents and improve security before December 15 elections, the military said. "The objectives of Operation Steel Curtain are to restore security along the Iraqi-Syrian border and destroy the al Qaeda in Iraq terror network operating throughout Qusayba," the military said in a statement. U.S. forces have launched a series of offensives in recent months in western Iraq to stop what they say is a flow of foreign fighters coming through Syria to fuel the insurgency. The huge western province of Anbar, which is largely populated by Sunni Arabs, has seen some of the fiercest fighting in the 2-1/2 years since the March 2003 U.S.-led invasion. "Al Qaeda in Iraq have used the region's porous borders to smuggle foreign fighters, money and equipment into the country to be used in their ongoing attacks against the Iraqi people and coalition forces," the statement said. Turnout was low in the region at an October 15 constitutional referendum and the military said part of the objective of the offensive was to counter insurgents' intimidation of the local population and make it safe for them to vote in December polls. The military statement said 1,000 Iraqi troops were taking part in the joint operation with 2,500 U.S. forces.

150 dead on second bloodiest day in iraq { September 15 2005 } 3 bombers strike at baghdad hotels { October 25 2005 } Allies withdrawing from iraq { November 2005 } Alqaeda says bomb revenge for offensve on sunnis Basra bomb kills contractors Bomb kills over 100 in baghdad British raids creating chaos in basra { October 10 2005 } Briton peace mission kidnapped Bus suicide bomber kills 30 in iraq Car bomb kills 23 at mosque in iraq Colonel tells iraqs attack helicopters are sounds of peace { October 3 2005 } Forces lead new offensive near syrian border { October 1 2005 } Insurgents bomb sunni arab office in iraq Insurgents control town near syrian border { September 6 2005 } Iraq insurgents kill senior sunni leader Iraq interior ministry jail reports severe torture { December 12 2005 } Iraq mosque blast killed 25 Iraqi and US troops push in northern town Iraqi forces launch offensive in western iraq Iraqs sunnis fear shiite death squads Kidnappers threaten to kill peace activists Near simultaneous bombs kill iraqis buying vegetables Roadside bomb kills 10 marines Sadr militia fights US troops after 13 month peace { September 26 2005 } Sadr residents freed journalist from criminals Sectarian hatred pulls apart iraqs mixed towns { November 20 2005 } Suicide bomber kills 41 in mosque attack Suicide car bomber kills 30 in crowded market { October 11 2005 } Sunnis blame the paramilitary for executions { October 27 2005 } Three iraqi special forces soldiers shot by americans { August 24 2005 } Troop deaths hit 1904 in iraq Troops storm empty insurgent stronghold { September 11 2005 } Troubled white belgian suicide bombs in iraq { December 2 2005 } Two iraqi insurgents are undercover british commandos { September 20 2005 } Undercover brits in basra dress as iraqis { September 20 2005 } US warplanes bombed villages and killed 39 civilians Files Listed: 36

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