U.S.-Iraqi Force Sweeps Syrian Border Area

BAGHDAD, Nov. 7 -- U.S. and Iraqi security forces continued their sweep through an area near the Syrian border to root out foreign fighters Monday, the third day of one of the largest military offensives since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003.

About 3,500 troops participated in the operation in the region in and around Qaim, which the military has dubbed Steel Curtain. This is the second time in about a month that U.S.-led troops have stormed the expansive desert area in a full-fledged assault intended to expose fighters linked to the insurgent group known as al Qaeda in Iraq.

The offensive began Saturday, with troops battling insurgents in Husaybah, essentially a suburb of Qaim, about 200 miles northwest of the Iraqi capital.

"The combined force is clearing the city, house by house, as the al Qaeda in Iraq-led insurgents continue to plant improvised explosive devices throughout the city and fire on Marines and Iraqi army soldiers from homes, schools and mosques," the U.S. Marines said in a statement.

A Marine was killed by small arms fire Sunday "while conducting clearing operations" in Husaybah, the U.S. military reported in a statement Monday. It was the first U.S. fatality of the offensive.

The commander of the operation, Col. Stephen W. Davis, said at least 36 insurgents had been killed and 200 men had been detained during the assault, the Associated Press reported.

Iraqi officials have acknowledged that they are failing to stop fighters from crossing into the country from Syria. The fighters traverse the Euphrates River valley region, dispersing weapons and explosives, and then move on to the cities of Ramadi, Baghdad and Mosul. The officials have repeatedly criticized the Syrian government for not doing more to control their side of the border, while also noting that Iraqi troops are not yet adequately trained to do the job without U.S. support.

By Sunday afternoon, U.S. and Iraqi forces controlled seven of 11 neighborhoods in Qaim, witnesses said. At 10 a.m., the U.S. forces raided the neighborhoods and searched the houses, digging up gardens in search of contraband. The soldiers found weapons caches and papers linked to the al Qaeda insurgency, the witnesses said.

"I think the town will be cleansed within three to four days," said Iraqi army Capt. Arkan Hussein. "Only small pockets of the fighters remained."

The U.S. troops used loudspeakers to urge residents remaining in the city to help the joint forces by giving information on insurgents' hideouts and potential car bombs.

Mohammed Azzawi, a physician at the Qaim hospital, said five civilians had been killed and nine wounded since the assault began. He said 13 civilians were missing and presumed trapped under wreckage.

A statement reportedly from the al Qaeda group that was posted on a mosque in Haditha claimed victory. "The heroes of al Qaeda are fighting and got what they wanted from the worshipers of the cross and the worshipers of the graves," the statement said. "Worshipers of the graves" refers to Shiite Muslims.