Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

Thick smoke rises as a U.S. Apache helicopter hovers over Baghdad's restive Haifa street district. Iraqi and U.S. forces have killed 30 insurgents in central Baghdad in a joint operation on Wednesday. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BAGHDAD, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Iraqi forces have killed 30 insurgents in central Baghdad in a joint operation on Wednesday, the state television Al-Iraqiya reported.

    The television quotes Iraqi Defense Ministry as saying that 30insurgents were killed and 35 detained during the day-long gunbattles in Haifa Street.

    Haifa Street is located on the west bank of Tigris River and close to the heavily-fortified Green Zone, which houses the offices of the Iraqi government and U.S. embassy. It is believed to be a stronghold of Sunni insurgents and foreign fighters.

    Witnesses told Xinhua that explosions and gunfire resonated throughout the area while U.S. Apache helicopters hovered above the areas.

    The U.S. military said in a statement that Iraqi and U.S. forces early Wednesday began "Operation Tomahawk Strike II on Haifa Street, conducting targeted raids to disrupt illegal militia activity and help restore Iraq security force control in the area."

    U.S. and Iraqi forces encountered resistance, including hand-held grenades, small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from high rise buildings in the area, the statement said.

    Seven suspected insurgents have been detained and a weapons cache uncovered during the operation, it said.

Bombings inflict massive casualties in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- At least 12 people were killed and 29 others wounded on Monday when a bomb went off in a market northeast of Baghdad, a source from Diyala provincial police told Xinhua.   

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