US, Iraqi Troops Fight House-To-House On Syria Border

IRAQ WARS

A picture released by the US Marines 06 November 2005 shows Marines looking over a rooftop at the source of enemy fire during Operation Steel Curtain in the Kusayibah at the Iraqi-Syrian border in western Iraq. US and Iraqi forces pressing an along the border with Syria have met "sporadic resistance" from insurgents, the US military. Some 1,000 Iraqi soldiers and a force of 2,500 marines, sailors and soldiers launched a sweep called Operation Steel Curtain earlier in the day, focusing on the border with Syria. AFP photo/HO/USMC/CPL Neil A. Sevelius.

Baghdad (AFP) Nov 06, 2005
US and Iraqi forces fought house-to-house on the second day of their sweep of the restive western Iraqi town of Husayba, on the border with Syria, the US military said late Sunday.

"The combined force is clearing the city, house by house, as the Al-Qaeda in Iraq-led insurgents continue to plant improvised explosive devices throughout the city and fire on the marines and Iraqi army soldiers," the military said in a statement.

Some 1,000 Iraqi soldiers and a force of 2,500 marines, sailors and soldiers launched a sweep called Operation Steel Curtain early Saturday focusing on the upper Euphrates town of Husayba in the restive province of Al-Anbar.

The goal is to secure the city and prevent forces from Al-Qaeda in Iraq from using it as an entry point into Iraq.

There were no reports of military or civilian casualties, but the military said that at least 17 alleged insurgents had been killed since the operation began.

"Many more are suspected of being killed, but coalition forces haven't been able to confirm those numbers yet," the military said in a statement.

"When locked buildings are encountered, forces typically cut the lock to gain entry for their search. Instructions to submit damages claims resulting from searches are left at the building for owners."

Insurgents fired on Iraqi soldiers and marines from mosques in two separate incidents on Sunday, and in both cases, Iraqi soldiers searched the sites. The insurgents however "had cleared the buildings before the Iraqi soldiers arrived on the scene."

Warplanes also hit 10 targets "using precision-guided munitions" to hit the target "while limiting collateral damage."

"There have been no reports of civilian casualties or of civilians leaving the region due to the operation," the military said.

Until recently Husayba had a population of some 30,000, but most residents are believed to have fled. The Iraqi troops and marines are currently housing and feeding some 450 local civilians.

The US military has long held that the most serious terrorist acts in Iraq are conducted by Al-Qaeda operatives from abroad that cross from Syria via the Euphrates valley.

US authorities have repeatedly accused Syrian authorities of allowing rebels, including those associated with Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Al-Qaeda group in Iraq, to use their territory as a staging post and a safe haven.

All rights reserved. � 2005 Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.

IRAQ WARS

US To Keep 160,000 Troops In Iraq Through December Vote: Officials

Washington (AFP) Nov 03, 2005
The US military will keep about 160,000 troops in Iraq through national elections in December and then decide how far US force levels in the country can be reduced, senior Pentagon officials said Thursday.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.