Nickdfresh
06-21-2007, 05:29 PM
U.S. presses Iraqi offensives aimed at al-Qaida
15 troops killed in 3 days; military plans to set ‘trap’ to ‘eliminate’ militants
Updated: 1:00 p.m. ET June 21, 2007
BAGHDAD - The U.S. military said on Thursday it was setting a trap to “eliminate” militants near Baghdad, where 15 American troops died in the past three days, including five slain Thursday in a single roadside bombing that also killed four Iraqis.
Tens of thousands of U.S. and Iraqi soldiers are pushing on with simultaneous operations in Baghdad and to the north, south and west of the capital under Operation Phantom Thunder, a new plan aimed at rooting out al-Qaida fighters and other militants.
The latest offensives, which began in the past week, follow the build-up of U.S. military forces in Iraq to 156,000 soldiers and aim to deny militants sanctuary in the farmlands and towns surrounding Baghdad.
The rest at MSNBC News Services (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19349522/)
15 troops killed in 3 days; military plans to set ‘trap’ to ‘eliminate’ militants
Updated: 1:00 p.m. ET June 21, 2007
BAGHDAD - The U.S. military said on Thursday it was setting a trap to “eliminate” militants near Baghdad, where 15 American troops died in the past three days, including five slain Thursday in a single roadside bombing that also killed four Iraqis.
Tens of thousands of U.S. and Iraqi soldiers are pushing on with simultaneous operations in Baghdad and to the north, south and west of the capital under Operation Phantom Thunder, a new plan aimed at rooting out al-Qaida fighters and other militants.
The latest offensives, which began in the past week, follow the build-up of U.S. military forces in Iraq to 156,000 soldiers and aim to deny militants sanctuary in the farmlands and towns surrounding Baghdad.
The rest at MSNBC News Services (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19349522/)