US, Iraqi forces launch offensive in western Iraq

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.