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U.S.-Coalition Forces Remain On Offensive In Iraq>

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2004 - U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq continue to take the fight to the enemy, a senior U.S. military officer reported from Baghdad today.

"The coalition remains offensively oriented in order to proactively attack, kill or capture anti-coalition and anti-Iraqi elements," Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt told reporters during a press conference.

U.S. and coalition troops across Iraq have conducted 1,625 patrols, 12 offensive operations and 15 raids over the past 24 hours, Kimmitt, the deputy operations director of Combined Joint Task Force 7, said.

Forty-two suspected insurgents, he added, were captured within that timeframe.

Meanwhile, the Iraq area of operations "remains relatively stable," Kimmitt remarked, noting that the past week has seen an average of 23 daily engagements against coalition military, just over four attacks daily against Iraqi security forces, and just under two attacks daily against Iraqi civilians.

Offensive U.S.-coalition military operations also are being conducted across Iraq "to obtain intelligence for future operations and to assure the people of Iraq of our determination to establish and maintain a safe and secure environment," Kimmitt concluded.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Feb2004/n02032004_200402038.html