U.S. Launches Major Offensive in Iraq

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - American and Iraqi forces launched a major offensive Saturday near the porous Syrian border aimed at destroying al-Qaida in Iraq's ability to smuggle in foreign fighters, money and equipment through the region.

The U.S. military also announced that two soldiers were killed by insurgents in other areas of Iraq on Friday.

The offensive in the town of Husaybah of about 2,500 U.S. forces and 1,000 Iraqis - including local forces acting as scouts - will remove insurgents from the western province of Anbar ahead of Iraq's parliamentary election on Dec. 15, the U.S. military said.

In nearby Qaim, a witness said the offensive in Husaybah began about dawn with four loud explosions, apparently caused by U.S. warplanes or helicopters. The witness said telephone service to the town was cut. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern for his safety.

Husaybah is a poor Sunni Arab town of about 30,000 people. It is located near the Euphrates River and surrounded by bleak hills and desert terrain. Most residents live in small brick and concrete homes, and many may have fled during another U.S. offensive in the area last month."
Guardian