Published: December 01, 2005

Operation Iron Hammer Progressing - Clearing of Hai Al Becker Region

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CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq - Operation Matraqa Hadidia (Iron Hammer) is progressing with the clearing of the Hai Al Becker region on the eastern side of the Euphrates River across from Hit and approximately 170 km west of Baghdad.

Approximately 500 Iraqi Army soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division and 1,500 Marines and Sailors from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit along with 500 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion-114th Field Artillery Regiment are participating in Iron Hammer.

The Hai Al Becker region is suspected to be an al-Qaeda in Iraq safe area and base of operations for the manufacture of vehicle car bombs and roadside bombs. During Operation Saif (Sword) the bridges across the Euphrates River from Hit into the Hai Al Becker were disabled to vehicle traffic. These strikes prevented insurgents in Hit from fleeing across the river into the Hai Al Becker region.

Today, Iraqi and U.S. Forces used specialized explosive charges to clear paths through routes suspected to be seeded with roadside bombs. Secondary explosions caused by hidden mines or bombs were observed. One antipersonnel mine was also discovered during the clearing.

The Iraqi commander from 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division and a local sheikh addressed a group of citizens. The commander and sheikh explained the purpose of the operation and addressed their concerns.

There are no reports of Iraqi Army or U.S. Forces casualties.

Routine updates concerning Operation Iron Hammer will be provided as additional information becomes available.

Source: USMC