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August 13, 2007

US Military Launches New Offensive Across Iraq
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1898440:A6F02AD83191E160C3CD29CC398963249574F7DCC14957C0 Operation Phantom
Strike targets al-Qaida, Shi'ite, Sunni militants





US Army troops search rooftop of a house during an operation in the
Amariyah neighborhood of west Baghdad, 13 Aug 2007The U.S. military
launched a new offensive across Iraq Monday to crack down on Sunni and
Shi'ite militants.

A military statement says Operation Phantom Strike "consists of
simultaneous operations throughout Iraq focused on pursuing al-Qaida
terrorists and Iranian-supported" extremists.

The U.S. military also says coalition forces captured a suspected
financier of a militant group with direct ties to Iran before dawn
today in western Baghdad.

In another operation early Sunday, the military says coalition forces
killed several militants and captured 13 alleged arms smugglers linked
to Iran in Baghdad's Sadr City district.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called Sunday for a
meeting of Iraqi political leaders to try to heal divisions that have
weakened his unity government.

He said the leaders of Iraq's sectarian factions could begin meeting
late Monday or Tuesday.

In another development, officials in Baghdad say an Iraqi court will
open a third trial into alleged crimes committed by Saddam Hussein's
deposed government.

Saddam's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as "Chemical Ali,"
and 14 other defendants will face charges in the brutal crushing of a
Shi'ite uprising after the 1991 Gulf War. The hearings are set to
begin August 21.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.




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