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Base Set Up to Curb Rebels

Jul-31-2005 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

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The U.S. military hopes its first long-term presence near Iraq's border with Syria will help stem the flow of suicide bombers.

By John Hendren, Times Staff Writer

BAGHDAD — American troops have established the first long-term military base along a major smuggling route near the Syrian border in a new effort to block potential suicide bombers from reaching targets in Baghdad and other major Iraqi cities.

A force of 1,800 U.S. troops, responding to continuing concerns that foreign fighters are crossing the Syrian border into Iraq, recently began an operation that includes setting up the base, three miles from the crossroads town of Rawah....

The 2nd Infantry Division's Stryker Brigade Combat Team is leading the operation and is the first to take up a permanent presence in the area. Officials say it has been difficult, if not impossible, for U.S.-led forces to control the region without such a commitment.

"It's a huge, desolate place and if somebody wanted to hide out it would be a good place to hide out," Marine Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Johnson, commander of coalition forces in western Iraq, said in an interview in Fallouja.

As the operation unfolds, Marines would continue to hold the region south of the Euphrates, while the Stryker Brigade, which has been based in Mosul, pushes south, putting insurgents in a "vice," a senior U.S. military strategist said.

The unfamiliar whoosh of helicopter rotors and the sight of the Army brigade's Stryker vehicles engaged in battles along largely rural roadways have prompted hundreds and possibly thousands of the estimated 20,000 people in Rawah to flee in fear of an attack similar to the one in Fallouja, officials said.

Local media have reported that as many as 80% of the residents have left. American military leaders say that the actual number appears to be far lower.

U.S. military surveillance photos said to be of the area near the town of Qaim separating Syria from Iraq show breaks in a massive berm. U.S. military strategists say the photos also show "personnel loading trucks" and a lookout point atop one building with a view across the border.

Troops from the Stryker Brigade recently chased a suspected car bomber across the river at Rawah and forced him out of the car, a senior military officer said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A second car arrived and apparently detonated the first vehicle, killing the bomber before driving off.


Comments For "Base Set Up to Curb Rebels":

?? I wonder if the 2nd Infantry Division Stryker Brigade (3/2) knows they got deployed to Iraq yet... Even better, I wonder if my neighbor knows he "missed movement" because we were working on his car last night.

Posted by: Steve | July 31, 2005 6:28 AM

The garbage Hollywood puts out will never do justice to our Honorable young men and women who are doing the real work. The Hollywood actors, going from their set to their airconditioned trailers, are doing a dis-service to our military, and our Nation. If you research hard enough I am sure you will find a political motive behind this.

To the real men and women in our service, thank you from the bottom of my heart. God bless you and keep you safe.

A Stryker Mom

Posted by: Linda Bitto | July 31, 2005 4:28 PM

HAHA! I thought I lost my mind for a second. Glad I wasn't the only one who was like, What a second...they have other people there too???

Get your facts straight buddy!

Posted by: ME | July 31, 2005 5:24 PM

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