Published: December 18, 2005

Iraqi Operation Moonlight Begins in Western Al Anbar.

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CAMP BLUE DIAMOND, AR RAMADI, Iraq - Soldiers from 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division began Operation Alkamra Almaner (Moonlight) early this morning in western Al Anbar.

Iraqi Army soldiers from three Iraqi battalions are conducting a cordon and knock operation east of Ubaydi. The Iraqi soldiers are being supported by 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines, Regimental Combat Team-2 and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward).

This is the first large-scale operation planned and executed by Iraqi soldiers of the 1st Brigade. The operation objective of Moonlight is to disrupt insurgent activity along the northern and southern banks of the Euphrates River near Ubaydi.

The eastern Al Qa'im region, to include the cities of Husaybah, Karabilah and Ubaydi were cleared of al Qaeda in Iraq-led insurgents during Operation Steel Curtain last month which enabled residents to vote in the Dec. 15 Iraqi National Elections.

There are five Iraqi Army companies from three Iraqi battalions and one US Marine company taking part in this operation. From the gathering of intelligence to the writing of operational order this is an Iraqi operation.

Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Source: USMC