US launches ‘largest air assault since 2003’

US TROOPS launched what was termed the largest air assault since the 2003 invasion of Iraq yesterday, targeting insurgent strongholds.

The Americans were joined by the Iraqi army.

"More than 1,500 Iraqi and coalition troops, over 200 tactical vehicles, and more than 50 aircraft participated in the operation," the US military statement said of the attack, designed to "clear a suspected insurgent operating area north-east of Samarra", 60 miles north of Baghdad.