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US, Iraqi Forces Encounter Resistance in Western Iraq
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=FC8757:3919ACA
Three Marines, 80 insurgents killed since coalition forces entered
Ubaydi on Monday





A Marine military policeman with his working dog named "Rocky" watch
over the streets of Karabilah, IraqThe U.S. military says American and
Iraqi forces fighting insurgents in western Iraq have encountered
strong resistance as they battle to secure the border region and
prevent terrorist infiltrations from Syria.

The military says coalition forces have encountered some of the
heaviest fighting in the city of Ubaydi since Operation Steel Curtain
began 10 days ago. Three Marines and 80 insurgents have been killed
since coalition forces entered the city on Monday.

They have found houses rigged with explosives, more than 100 explosive
devices and mines, as well as 36 weapons caches.

The operation is intended to restore security along the Euphrates
River Valley ahead of next month's parliamentary elections.

Meanwhile, attacks in Baghdad and Kirkuk killed eight policemen
Tuesday. And coalition forces say they captured a high level Baath
Party leader Hamid Sharki Shadid in Diyala province.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.


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