Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
BAGHDAD, Dec 12 (AFP) - Security operations in western Iraq have killed more
than 750 insurgents and captured almost 2,000 in the past few weeks, a
senior defense ministry official said Monday.
"Enemy casualties in the Euphrates Valley have reached 753 killed and 58
wounded," General Abdel Aziz Mohammed told a press conference in Baghdad.
"The number of detained is 1,978 and includes an emir (insurgent cell chief)
named Khalaf Fanus who was turned in to police forces by his family.
"All zones along the valley have been cleared and we are maintaining an
Iraqi and multinational military presence there until police forces arrive
to secure the area."
The commander of military operations at the defense ministry added: "We have
established seven security zones" in the area, which stretches from near
Baghdad to the western border with Syria.
Pockets of Sunni Arab-backed insurgents are found throughout the valley,
which includes the hotspot cities of Al-Qaim, Fallujah and Ramadi.
Mohammed said insurgent attacks had decreased by four percent last week in
Baghdad but had risen by five percent in western Iraq, while causing fewer
casualties.
He also said that polling stations for Thursday's legislative election would
be protected by a triple ring of security personnel, with police guarding
the stations themselves.
Iraqi army troops would establish a second filter while US-led forces would
man an outer perimeter, he said.
Security was to be reinforced in western Baghdad, the area where most
attacks in the capital occur.
than 750 insurgents and captured almost 2,000 in the past few weeks, a
senior defense ministry official said Monday.
"Enemy casualties in the Euphrates Valley have reached 753 killed and 58
wounded," General Abdel Aziz Mohammed told a press conference in Baghdad.
"The number of detained is 1,978 and includes an emir (insurgent cell chief)
named Khalaf Fanus who was turned in to police forces by his family.
"All zones along the valley have been cleared and we are maintaining an
Iraqi and multinational military presence there until police forces arrive
to secure the area."
The commander of military operations at the defense ministry added: "We have
established seven security zones" in the area, which stretches from near
Baghdad to the western border with Syria.
Pockets of Sunni Arab-backed insurgents are found throughout the valley,
which includes the hotspot cities of Al-Qaim, Fallujah and Ramadi.
Mohammed said insurgent attacks had decreased by four percent last week in
Baghdad but had risen by five percent in western Iraq, while causing fewer
casualties.
He also said that polling stations for Thursday's legislative election would
be protected by a triple ring of security personnel, with police guarding
the stations themselves.
Iraqi army troops would establish a second filter while US-led forces would
man an outer perimeter, he said.
Security was to be reinforced in western Baghdad, the area where most
attacks in the capital occur.