The U.S. military began a major offensive across Iraq Monday, to crack down on extremist militants. A military statement says Operation Phantom Strike "consists of simultaneous operations throughout Iraq focused on pursuing...al-Qaida terrorists and Iranian-supported" extremists.Earlier, officials said coalition forces had killed several militants and captured 13 alleged Iranian-linked arms smugglers in a pre-dawn raid Sunday on Baghdad's Shi'ite Sadr City district. The military statement said coalition forces also destroyed a truck during the raid, "killing an estimated three to five" suspected terrorists.
I love the smell of burning Tater Tots in the morning!
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for a meeting of Iraqi political leaders to try to resolve divisions that have deadlocked the government. He said the leaders of Iraq's sectarian factions could begin meeting late Monday or Tuesday.