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US Army launches Operation Desert Scorpion in northern Iraq
Baghdad, June 15: Coalition troops unleashed a new operation code-named Desert Scorpion overnight, against forces loyal to ousted President Saddam Hussein in northern Iraq, a coalition spokesman said today.
Baghdad, June 15: Coalition troops unleashed a new operation code-named Desert Scorpion overnight, against forces loyal to ousted President Saddam Hussein in northern Iraq, a coalition spokesman said today.
"It started last night, it is still ongoing," said Sergeant 1st class Brian Thomas from coalition Joint Task Force 7.
"We are targeting anyone who is striking against US soldiers. Some of them are Ba’ath Party members and some of them are against our peace efforts. We have detained people, but we don`t have any numbers.”
"We have received no report of US casualties," he said, without revealing the scale of Desert Scorpion.
The operation, focused "mostly in north and north west" Iraq, came on the heels of operation peninsula strike, a massive six-day US military assault in north-central Iraq to clamp down on pro-Saddam fighters, which was brought to a close on Thursday.
"The 4th Infantry Division and supporting units from task force Ironhorse, concluded an extensive raid on June 12, 2003," US Central Command (Centcom) said today.
Peninsula strike involved land, air and sea strikes "to capture or destroy terrorist elements," it said, adding that it resulted "in the capture of approximately 400 detainees and the seizure of numerous weapon systems and ammunition."
Bureau Report
"We are targeting anyone who is striking against US soldiers. Some of them are Ba’ath Party members and some of them are against our peace efforts. We have detained people, but we don`t have any numbers.”
"We have received no report of US casualties," he said, without revealing the scale of Desert Scorpion.
The operation, focused "mostly in north and north west" Iraq, came on the heels of operation peninsula strike, a massive six-day US military assault in north-central Iraq to clamp down on pro-Saddam fighters, which was brought to a close on Thursday.
"The 4th Infantry Division and supporting units from task force Ironhorse, concluded an extensive raid on June 12, 2003," US Central Command (Centcom) said today.
Peninsula strike involved land, air and sea strikes "to capture or destroy terrorist elements," it said, adding that it resulted "in the capture of approximately 400 detainees and the seizure of numerous weapon systems and ammunition."
Bureau Report