Fighting breaks out in new Iraq offensive

Insurgents armed with Kalashnikov rifles and rocket-propelled grenades battled about 3,500 US and Iraqi troops today on the streets of Husaybah in the second day of an offensive to rout al-Qaida from its stronghold along the Syrian border.

Two American service members were reportedly wounded in Saturday’s fighting. Brig Gen Donald Alston told reporters today that no US or Iraqi forces had been killed.