Latest offensive targets insurgent-held cities in western Iraq

"BAGHDAD, Iraq - (KRT) - U.S. troops struck a sprawling swath of western Iraq along the Euphrates River valley Tuesday, launching one of the largest offensives of the year against insurgent strongholds as Iraqis prepare to vote on a national constitution.

About 2,500 U.S. soldiers, Marines and sailors as well as Iraqi troops stormed the insurgent cities of Haditha, Haqlaniyah and Barwana in what the U.S. military has dubbed Operation River Gate.

The towns, all in the western Anbar province, have long been hotbeds of insurgent activity. The operation comes days after the start of a 1,000-troop effort to root out al-Qaida in western Iraq called Operation Iron Fist.

Haditha and Haqlaniyah have been particularly troublesome for U.S. forces."
The Murcury News