New security operation in al-Anbar

American forces in collaboration with Iraqi security forces started on Tuesday morning a new military operation in al-Anbar governorate.

A statement by the American army said that the operation which involves 1000 Marines aims at exterminating what it called "foreign terrorists" in the area adjoining the Euphrates river between Haditha and Hait cities to the west of Baghdad.

This is considered the fourth military operation of this size launched by the American forces in the two towns during the two past months.

American forces had recently launched two major operations in al-Qaem and al-Karabelah areas in al-Anbar governorates. The American army announced the killing of scores of gunmen in the two operations which lasted for several days. However, news were contradictory over the number of civilian victims as a result of the American bombardment of the two areas.