BAGHDAD - US soldiers, helped by Iraqi security forces, began a new offensive against insurgents in Iraq south of Baghdad and in the northern part of Babil province, US Central Command said Friday. Their goal is to put down the insurgency in the area ahead of the nationwide elections at the end of January and prepare the necessary infrastructure, spokesman Lieutenant Colonel James Hutton said. "This area is one of the last places near Baghdad that the insurgent feels he can operate from," the officer said.
The operation captured nine insurgents and killed one, the military said. |