[2][3] The region was also believed to have been a stopping point for members of the Iraqi insurgency as they traveled down the Euphrates River from Syria into the interior of Iraq.
[1][2] In July 2005, American and New Iraqi Army soldiers reportedly established a long-term security presence in Hīt, located near the region.
[1][2] The aim of Operation Iron Hammer was to remove Al-Qaeda in Iraq from the region,[1][2] and establish a secure environment for a legislative election scheduled to occur in December 2005.
[1] During the campaign, Iraqi and American soldiers used specialized explosive charges to clear paths through routes in which roadside bombs were believed to have been heavily planted.
[1] No civilian, New Iraqi Army, or United States Armed Forces casualties were reported, nor were basic services, such as water and utilities, disrupted.