Reuters: U.S. Marines launch major operation in west Iraq

BAGHDAD, June 28 (Reuters) - U.S. Marines launched a major operation in western Iraq on Tuesday, dispatching 1,000 troops against suspected insurgents in the western Euphrates river valley.

"Operation Saif (Sword) began early this morning to root out terrorists and foreign fighters living along the Euphrates River between the cities of Haditha and Hit," the Marines said in a statement.

Marine and army units were backed by a company of 100 Iraqi soldiers, it said.

Snip

The Euphrates valley has emerged as a strategic area in the counter-insurgency war, which has worsened since a Shi'ite- and Kurdish-led government took power two months ago.

Foreign militants responsible for a worsening campaign of suicide bombings are believed to enter the country near where the river crosses from Syria, and train in safe houses in towns along the valley.



Same area, where several of the 3/25 were killed, earlier this month.

Semper Fi

---