US-Iraqi Forces launch attack against Qaeda
Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite Network
Friday, November 16, 2007 09:14 GMT
600 US and Iraqi troops backed by air force launched an attack on Al Awsat and Al Batraa villages in Anbar province in an attempt to chase down militants thought be Al Qaeda members hiding among residents. Colonel Dominic Caraccilo, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division said that this operation is aimed to set a line of combat bases to protect the southern part of Baghdad. According to the Intelligence Official in the Division, the operation is also a bid to find two missing US soldiers kidnapped on May in an ambush on their patrol near the village of Karguli east of the Euphrates. For his part, Major Jason Waggoner noted that the troops will later build a bridge across the river connecting Awsat with the east side of the Euphrates. The bridge will also facilitate troop movements, especially those involved in the search for the two missing soldiers, he added.

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