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Operation Steel Curtain Update, al Qaim, November 16

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq - Iraqi Army Soldiers and Marines, Soldiers and Sailors continue Operation al Hajip Elfulathi (Steel Curtain) in the al Qaim region.

A battle in Ubaydi today left al Qaeda in Iraq terrorists dead and resulted in a number of Coalition Force casualties.

This afternoon in a New Ubaydi hospital, Iraqi Soldiers from the Desert Protectors, Iraqi scouts recruited from the al Qaim region positively identified and detained an al Qaeda in Iraq terrorist. The terrorist was attempting to evade identification by wearing women's clothing.

Ubaydi residents staying at a nearby displacement camp worked with Iraqi Army Soldiers to help identify 21 suspected terrorists hiding amongst the civilians in the camp.

Iraqi Army Soldiers and Marines with Regimental Combat Team - 2 have established the Husaybah Civil-Military Operations Center, where meetings have begun between the Iraqi Army, Coalition Forces and local and regional leaders to coordinate the rebuilding of the city and the reconstitution of the city council. The CMOC will also serve as the primary meeting place for city leaders who are seeking assistance with regard to basic necessities such as food, water, electricity, phone services, waste management, and security.

"The CMOC in Husaybah is a tangible sign of the committed presence of the Iraqi military and U.S. forces," said Lt. Col. Todd Ryder, operations officer, 6th Civil Affairs Group. "It also establishes a location for local government officials to meet with military and national government officials to plan and chart a path for the city's economic and political rejuvenation."

This offensive is part of the larger Operation Sayaid (Hunter), designed to prevent al Qaeda in Iraq from operating in the Euphrates River Valley and throughout al Anbar and to establish a permanent Iraqi Army security presence in the al Qaim region.

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq