Iraq: 10,000 troops launch offensive on al-Qaida

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
About 10,000 US soldiers launched an offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq northeast of Baghdad early Monday, killing at least 22 insurgents, the US military said. The raids, dubbed "Operation Arrowhead Ripper," took place in Baqouba, the capital of Diyala province, and involved air assaults under the cover of darkness, the military said in a statement. The operation was still in its opening stages, it said.