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U.S. hails 'intelligence' gains from offensive on Syrian border

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, May 16, 2005

BAGHDAD — The U.S. military has deemed its weeklong offensive near the Iraqi-Syrian border a success.

The military said it killed more than 125 Sunni insurgents and captured 39 others with "intelligence value." The military did not elaborate, but officers later acknowledged many insurgents escaped to Syria.

The military said nine U.S. Marines were killed and 40 injured during Operation Matador in which U.S. troops searched for forces aligned with Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi. The operation included such western Iraqi towns as Karabila, Obeidi and Romana along the Euphrates River, Middle East Newsline reported.

"During Operation Matador, Marines, sailors and soldiers neutralized this sanctuary killing more than 125 insurgents, wounding many others, and detaining 39 insurgents of intelligence value," a U.S. military statement said on May 14.

The focus of the operation was Qaim, located near the Syrian border. Officials said more than 1,000 Marines, soldiers and sailors participated in Operation Matador. At one point, they said, insurgents battled each other for control.

The most intense fighting took place on May 7-8, in which 70 insurgents were killed, the military said. The military targeted the smuggling route of insurgents and supplies from Syria, but did not enter the country.

"During the seven-day operation, Marines disrupted the known infiltration routes through the region and disrupted sanctuaries and staging areas," the military said.

Insurgents used caves along the Syrian border to hide mortars and rockets. The military said machine guns and car bombs used by the Zarqawi network were also found.

"Operation Matador confirmed existing intelligence assessments focused on this region north of the Euphrates River, including knowledge of numerous cave complexes in the nearby escarpment," the military statement said.

Marine officials said Sunni insurgents used the Qaim region as a staging ground for attacks against Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition targets in Baghdad, Faluja, Mosul and Ramadi. They said the military would continue to monitor the Qaim area.

"Regimental Combat Team 2 started and ended this operation as planned, accomplished its mission and secured all objectives," Maj. Gen. Richard Huck, 2nd Marine Division commander, said. "Coalition and Iraqi security forces will return again to this area in the future."


Copyright © 2005 East West Services, Inc.

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