Iraq offensive launched against insurgents

About 1,000 US Marines, sailors and soldiers encircled the Euphrates River city of Haditha in the troubled Anbar province, killing at least three insurgents after launching the second major anti-insurgent operation in this vast western region in less than a month.

The offensives are aimed at uprooting insurgents who have killed more than 620 people since a new Iraqi government was announced on April 28.