U.S. Military Launches Operation In Western Iraq

5 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The U.S. military said today that it launched a new operation in western Iraq to disrupt insurgents and foreign fighters in the Euphrates River valley.

The U.S. military said the operation involves some 1,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops. The forces are concentrating on the areas in and around the cities of Haditha, Haqlaniyah, and Parwana, some 220 kilometers from Baghdad.

Residents of Haqlaniyah said U.S. and Iraqi forces cordoned the city and were conducting house-to-house searches as military aircraft circled overhead.

Witnesses reported hearing warplanes dropping bombs in the area.

(AP)