Posted on 06/17/2005 2:22:40 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
US Marines and accompanying Iraqi troops return to the Qusaybah/Qaim region on the Syrian border, and launch Operation Spear in the city of Karabilah. This region is the main hub of the southern ratline from Syria, which has been inaccurately compared to the Ho Chi Minh Trail of the Vietnam War. Spear explains the reports of US troops massing on the Syrian border. Via CENTCOM:
Approximately 1,000 Marines and Sailors from Regimental Combat Team-2, 2nd Marine Division and Iraqi Security Force soldiers are conducting combat operations in northwestern Al Anbar Province.Operation Spear (Romhe) began in the early morning hours aimed at rooting out terrorists, foreign fighters and disrupting terrorist support systems in and around Karabilah. Marines engaged terrorists in Karabilah on June 11, using precision air strikes. Elements from 1st Tank Battalion and 2nd and 4th Assault Amphibian Battalions are participating in the operation along with Coalition aircraft.
Spear appears to be of the same size as Operation New Market and Matador, which were conducted in the same region. It remains to be seen if Spear will resemble the search & destroy mission profile of Matador which covered a wide area, or the cordon & search profile of New Market. Good bets are on the latter. (See this post for background on clear & hold vs. search & destroy.)
(Excerpt) Read more at windsofchange.net ...
Good stuff here.
Good Stuff ~ Bump!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.