U.S., Iraqi forces launch operation aimed at expanding security zones in Ramadi

Above: Aftermath of a car bombing in Ramadi today which killed at least 10. Ramadi is an insurgent hot zone, and capital of Anbar province.

American and Iraqi forces have launched a “major operation” in Ramadi designed to expand security zones in the contested city, officials said Monday...

“This operation will benefit the people of Ramadi by establishing security and providing basic services and necessities,” U.S. Army Col. John Charlton, commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, said in a news release. “[Al-Qaida] has intimidated the people of Ramadi through murder, kidnapping and the destruction of their city. The Sons of Anbar are here to establish and maintain security,” Charlton said, referring to Iraqi troops specifically recruited in and deployed in the province.

Other U.S. military officials were quick to say that the operation was not a “Fallujah-style” battle for the city. In that large operation, civilians were cleared from the city and American troops battled insurgents house-to-house in pitched fighting.

Read the rest at Stars and Stripes

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