Quote:

Coalition forces swoop in to clear area of insurgents

March 17, 2006


BY STEVEN R. HURST

ASSOCIATED PRESS

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• Air assault in Iraq sign of changing U.S. tactics

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. and Iraqi forces in 50 helicopters swept into the countryside north of the capital Thursday looking for insurgents.

There was no bombing or firing from the air in the offensive northeast of Samarra, a town 60 miles north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said. All 50 aircraft were helicopters -- Black Hawks, Apaches and Chinooks -- used to ferry in and provide cover for the more than 1,500 Iraqi and U.S. troops from the 101st Airborne Division.

There were no immediate reports of casualties on either side. Residents in the area of the assault reported a heavy U.S. and Iraqi troop presence and said large explosions could be heard in the distance. U.S. forces routinely blow up structures they suspect to be insurgent safe houses or weapons depots. It was not known whether the troops met any resistance, but the military reported detaining 41 people.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan denied the operation was tied to a new campaign to change public opinion about the war. "This was a decision made by our commanders," he said, adding that President George W. Bush was briefed but did not specifically authorize the operation.

The operation appeared concentrated near four villages -- Jillam, Mamlaha, Banat Hassan and Bukaddou -- about 20 miles north of Samarra. The settlements are near the highway leading from Samarra to the city of Adwar, scene of repeated insurgent roadblocks and ambushes.

U.S. military officials did not say whether the assault was in response to the bombing last month that destroyed the Askariya shrine, one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest sites, and spurred Shi'ite militiamen to rampage across eastern Baghdad and cities in the south, leaving hundreds dead.
Read and learn. I know, a novel idea for some, but please, like peace, give it a chance.

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Double-J