Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070716-05
July 16, 2007

MND-C begins new offensive operations
Multi-National Division – Center PAO

BAGHDAD — Task Force Marne began an offensive today in southern Baghdad to drive out extremists.
 
Marne Avalanche is an offensive operation aimed at stopping southern Baghdad from being used as a safe haven and preventing the movement of weapons, munitions and insurgents into Baghdad. The operation’s intent is to improve security conditions in southern Baghdad and reduce the influence of insurgents in the area.
 
Marne Avalanche will build on the successes of Task Force Marne’s offensive operation, Marne Torch, which began June 1 and is ongoing.
 
To date, Operation Marne Torch resulted in 1,152 structures cleared, 83 insurgents killed, 278 insurgents detained, 51 caches found, 51 boats destroyed and 872 citizens entered in a biometric identification system.

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