The Multi-National Forces in Iraq announced Saturday the start of Operation Panthers in Al-Ramadi, western Iraq, to track down terrorists. A Multi-National Forces statement issued today said that 550 Iraqi and American soldiers are to take part in the operation that aims to stop and obstruct the movement of terrorists and stabilize the city in preparation for the mid-December elections.Operation Panthers follows Operation Lions that ended yesterday, where around 200 Iraqi Army Soldiers and 250 Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team (2-BCT) concluded the operation in the Tamim area of Al-Ramadi. Operation Lions resulted in the arrest of 20 suspected terrorists and it is the third in a series of disruption operations that were aimed at capturing or killing Al-Qaeda terrorists in the area. Operations Panthers and Bruins were also aimed at crippling terrorists' ability to operate in northern Al-Ramadi and create a suitable environment for the upcoming elections.