Posted on 02/25/2005 1:20:49 AM PST by BlackVeil
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S. Marine was killed as American and Iraqi forces continued their offensive to hunt down insurgents in western Iraq, the U.S. military said on Friday.
The Marine was killed on Thursday during security and stability operations, it said, without giving details.
The death takes the number of U.S. soldiers killed in combat since the invasion of March 2003 to 1,129.
U.S. and Iraqi forces began their offensive on Sunday in a bid to stamp out resistance in Iraq's vast western desert province of Anbar, one of the most lawless areas of the country.
They stepped up operations on Thursday, using warplanes and an AC-130 gunship to attack guerrillas in the town of Haqlaniya, some 150 miles northwest of Baghdad.
Soldiers raided a mosque, captured 17 suspected insurgents and seized several weapons caches during Thursday's fighting, the U.S. military said. Iraqi troops took the mosque while Marines provided security outside.
More than 100 suspected insurgents have been arrested since the offensive began and at least three U.S. Marines have died.
Rest In Peace
The casualties have dropped dramatically.
Hopefully we will get to the point that months will go by and no Americans are KIA.
God bless all those who have paid the ultimate price.
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Keep sucker punching these ba$tards where they live eat and sleep. No mercy. None.
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