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US, Iraqi forces launch offensive in western Iraq

Posted on: Saturday, 5 November 2005, 01:55 CST

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.

Source: REUTERS

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