BAQUBA, Iraq, July 28 (UPI) -- Top U.S. military advisers are coordinating with Iraqi leaders on a major offensive set for early August to target al-Qaida operatives in Diyala province.
Western Diyala province is majority Sunni but has relatively large Kurdish and Shiite populations as well. Military forces raided the provincial capital, Baquba, earlier this year. U.S. officials, however, said the second offensive is a decision made by Baghdad following earlier operational successes in Amarah, Basra and Sadr City.
Iraqi military officials reportedly sought assistance from their U.S. colleagues in the pending operation because they lack the forces to conduct the operation independently, the Iraqi daily Azzaman reported Monday.
U.S. forces, meanwhile, may be preparing for a burst of activity across the country to help Iraqi military forces gain control in many of the restive areas. Politically, the move may give outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush "some form of victory" as the Iraqi debate once again surfaces in the mainstream media.
Military analysts in the region says the offensive will accomplish little beyond damage to the general infrastructure, as most militias have received ample warning of the operation.
