U.S., Iraqi forces search Anbar town for oil pirates

COMBAT OUTPOST RAWAH, Iraq — U.S. and Iraqi forces’ efforts to disrupt the insurgency in western Anbar province include clearing a town believed to be a terrorist staging area and hunting for oil pirates, officials said Saturday.

Troops cleared suspected insurgents from Kubaysah, a town of 24,000, building a 10-foot-high berm that runs for five miles, according to a Multi-National Corps-Iraq news release.

Kubaysah became a known staging ground for insurgents after a February military operation drove them from Hit, a city about 15 miles away, officials say.

The effort was aimed at clearing and controlling Kubaysah to deny the insurgency its continued use, the release said.

Besides Iraqi security forces, the effort involved soldiers of the Army’s Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry, part of Regimental Combat Team-2. …..more