New offensive launched against al-Qaida

BAGHDAD, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. forces in Iraq recently launched a new offensive targeting the remaining al-Qaida in Iraq operatives southeast of Baghdad.

Officials are calling the latest offensive Operation Marne Grand Slam. The operation is aimed a pursing insurgent elements near Salman Pak and disabling the terrorists' network of safe houses, weapon caches and firing points in the region southeast of Baghdad, the American Forces Press Service reported.

The operation specifically involves clearing a peninsula that stretches into the Tigris River south of Salman Pak and then increasing U.S. troop presence in the surrounding area to support the local population.

"Troops from the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, are moving into Combat Outpost Carver, under construction southeast of Salman Pak. The outpost, in an area that was a former stronghold of the Iraqi Republican Guard, is on a Tigris River peninsula. From there, soldiers can keep an eye on river traffic and impede insurgent movement," the release said.

U.S. commanders are working with local tribal sheiks to set up a security cooperation arrangement with their tribesmen and form what the U.S. Defense Department calls Sons of Iraq security groups.