Special report: Tension escalates in
Iraq
BAGHDAD, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. and Iraqi forces had
launched a new offensive against al-Qaida militants and other insurgents in Iraq
on Tuesday, the U.S. military said.
The offensive, dubbed "Phantom Phoenix," is a series
of operations aimed at pursuing and neutralizing al-Qaida and other extremist
insurgents, a military statement quoted Lieutenant General Ray Odierno, the
number two commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq, as saying.
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This videograb provided by IntelCenter,
an organization monitoring radical Islamist groups, shows U.S. member of
al-Qaeda Adam Gadahn, also known as Azzam al-Amriki and Azzam the
American, in a video released by al-Qaeda's media outlet as-Sahab Media.
The White House on Sunday dismissed Al-Qaeda threats to attack President
George W. Bush during his Middle East trip, saying the radical Islamist
group offers "nothing but death and violence.
" (Xinhua/AFP
Photo)
Photo
Gallery>>> |
"Phantom Phoenix will synchronize lethal and
non-lethal effects to exploit recent security gains and disrupt terrorist
support zones and enemy command and control," Odierno said without identifying
the location of the operation.
He said that his troops were determined not to allow
the insurgent groups to "have respite anywhere in Iraq."
The statement illustrated that the non-lethal aspects
of this operation were to improve "delivery of essential services, economic
development and local governance capacity."
Al Qaeda: Bush's Mideast trip to meet
bombs, booby-traps
BEIJING, Jan. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- An al Qaeda member warned
on a videotape Sunday that U.S. President George Bush's upcoming trip to the
Middle East will meet bombs and booby-traps instead of roses and applause, media
reported Monday. Full story
Iran says Bush's Middle East trip
aimed at "interfering"
TEHRAN, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Iran said on Sunday that
U.S. President George W. Bush's planned trip to the Middle East was aimed at
interfering in relations among regional states. Full Story
Abbas, Olmert to meet ahead Bush's
visit to the region
RAMALLAH, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- A well-informed
Palestinian source announced on Sunday that President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will hold a meeting in Jerusalem this week. Full story
