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US launches major Iraq offensive US launches major Iraq offensive
(about 2 hours later)
The US military in Iraq has said 10,000 US and Iraqi troops are taking part in an operation against al-Qaeda networks north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.The US military in Iraq has said 10,000 US and Iraqi troops are taking part in an operation against al-Qaeda networks north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
The troops were said to be moving in and around the city of Baquba in Diyala province, which is considered to be an al-Qaeda stronghold.The troops were said to be moving in and around the city of Baquba in Diyala province, which is considered to be an al-Qaeda stronghold.
The US military said 22 militants had been killed early in the offensive, called Operation Arrowhead Ripper.The US military said 22 militants had been killed early in the offensive, called Operation Arrowhead Ripper.
Diyala province has seen some of the worst violence in Iraq this year.Diyala province has seen some of the worst violence in Iraq this year.
Insurgent groups have moved there in the face of the US troop build-up in Baghdad.Insurgent groups have moved there in the face of the US troop build-up in Baghdad.
The latest operation's strategy is the same as in Baghdad - clear, hold and build, according to the BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad.The latest operation's strategy is the same as in Baghdad - clear, hold and build, according to the BBC's Andrew North in Baghdad.
US troops do the initial clearing and Iraqi forces hold areas afterwards, followed by rebuilding efforts to win people over, he says.US troops do the initial clearing and Iraqi forces hold areas afterwards, followed by rebuilding efforts to win people over, he says.
But the approach has met with mixed success in Baghdad so far and, as has happened so often, the insurgents respond by simply moving elsewhere, our correspondent adds.But the approach has met with mixed success in Baghdad so far and, as has happened so often, the insurgents respond by simply moving elsewhere, our correspondent adds.
Night-time assaultNight-time assault
The operation, which is continuing, began overnight with troops being brought in by helicopter.The operation, which is continuing, began overnight with troops being brought in by helicopter.
Tanks have also been used on the ground, with Apache helicopter gunships providing air cover. Tanks and armoured vehicles have also been used on the ground, with Apache helicopter gunships providing air cover.
"Task Force Lightning commenced Operation Arrowhead Ripper today in a large-scale effort to eliminate al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating in Baquba and its surrounding areas," the military said."Task Force Lightning commenced Operation Arrowhead Ripper today in a large-scale effort to eliminate al-Qaeda in Iraq terrorists operating in Baquba and its surrounding areas," the military said.
"The end state is to destroy the al-Qaeda influences in this province and eliminate their threat against the people," said US commander Brig Gen Mick Bednarek."The end state is to destroy the al-Qaeda influences in this province and eliminate their threat against the people," said US commander Brig Gen Mick Bednarek.
The operation was aimed at helping local Iraqi ministries to provide basic services, which "will build trust and confidence of the people not only in the provincial government, but in the central government as well", he added. The operation's chances of success have been improved by information provided by former insurgents, the military said.
"Over the past several weeks, we've seen that a number of the former insurgent groups, Sunni groups, are actually growing very tired of the al-Qaeda influence in the province - tired to the point where they're giving coalition and Iraqi security forces information that has been very helpful," US Serg Thomas Clementson told the BBC World Service's World Today programme.
The US military is due to report on the success of its troop build-up, which is aimed at bringing Iraq under control, in September.
More than 20,000 US reinforcements are being deployed as part of the surge.
In July, funding measures go before the US Congress and in September, political and military assessments of the surge and the overall situation in Iraq are due.