10,000 US troops launch offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq

About 10,000 US soldiers launched an offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq north-east of Baghdad early today, killing at least 22 insurgents, the US military said.

The raids, dubbed “Operation Arrowhead Ripper”, took place in Baqouba, capital of Diyala province, and involved air assaults under the cover of darkness, the military said in a statement.