US and Iraqi Forces Launch Assault

American forces in Iraq launched on Thursday the largest air assault since 2003, aimed at rebels near the city where a mosque bombing triggered the sectarian violence. Over 1,500 troops, out of which 800 Iraqi and at least 650 Americans, took part in the operation near the city of Samarra, 100 km from Baghdad, where he Al Askari mosque was bombed in February.

The operation also included over 200 tactical vehicles and 50 aircrafts, making it the largest airborne attack in Iraq since April 2003. Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said this operation showed the capable security of this country and proved the Iraqi forces are not cooperating with the insurgents.

The attack came a few hours after Iraq's parliament held its first meeting since elections in December and 3 days after the three-year anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. An U.S. command stated that the raids will continue for several more days and also announced the discovery of artillery shells, explosives, army uniforms and materials for making car bombs.

On the first day of assault, the troops captured about 40 people in order to question them. Hoshyar Zebari, Iraq's interim foreign minister said about the attack that it was aimed at preventing insurgents from creating a stronghold, similar to the one in Fallujah in 2004.

"After Fallujah and some of the operations carried out successfully in the Euphrates and Syrian border, many of the insurgents moved to areas nearer to Baghdad. They have to be pulled out by the roots," he added.