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Operation Harba (Shank) Launched Today in Ar Ramadi

CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq - Approximately 200 Iraqi Army soldiers from 1st Brigade, 7th Division and 300 Marines from 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, launched Operation Harba (Shank) today in Ar Ramadi.

Operation Shank is the fifth in a series of operations by the Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces conducting combined clearing operations to disrupt the insurgency and set the conditions for a successful Dec. 15 election in the Al Anbar provincial capital of Ar Ramadi.

The purpose of the operation is to disrupt an insurgent group that utilizes an area of Ramadi as its base for attacks on local Ramadi citizens, Iraqi and U.S. military.

Since November 16, Iraqi and U.S. Forces actions have resulted in numerous terrorists killed or detained, to include Imad Salih Al-Fahdawi, a known insurgent involved in attacks against government officials and imams; and Khamis Manfi Hammud Al Klaibawi, a truck driver responsible for placing roadside bombs on the streets of Ramadi.

Additionally, Operations Panthers, Bruins, Lions and Tigers were successful in discovering numerous weapons caches, which collectively contained surface to air missiles, rocket propelled grenades, rockets, mortar and artillery rounds, hand grenades, landmines, small arms and ammunition, and various bomb making equipment.

As a result of these operations, insurgent attacks against innocent Iraqis in the Ramadi area have decreased.

More information on the operation will be released as it becomes available.

Source: USMC