US and Iraqi troops launch airborne swoop of insurgent resistance

Heliborne US and Iraqi troops pressed their sweep through a 100-square-mile section of central Iraq today in a bid to break up a centre of insurgent resistance, the US military said. No casualties were reported on either side.

“We believe we achieved tactical surprise,” Lt. Col. Edward Loomis, spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division, said of the day-old Operation Swarmer, biggest air assault in Iraq in three years. He said about 40 suspects were detained, 10 of whom were later released.