U.S. Marines Wall in Iraqi City With Sand - AP

RUTBAH, Iraq - U.S. Marines used to patrol the streets of this city near the volatile Syrian border. Now they've penned it in with a wall of sand, leaving only three ways in or out.

While causing discomfort to the townspeople, the military says it is an effective barrier to insurgents and frees up troops for use in other parts of restive Anbar province in western Iraq.

"Discomfort to the townspeople"? Just another way of losing their hearts and minds.

Semper Fi