BAQUBAH, Iraq, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A top U.S. military official said operations targeting al-Qaida in Iraq routed many insurgents from Iraq but stressed cautious optimism.
The commander of coalition forces in Iraq, Army Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, told reporters operations intended to drive out alleged al-Qaida operatives from northern Iraq netted several arrests, but he said he suspects many militants simply fled the area to wait out the surge, the Washington Times said Wednesday.
U.S. and Iraqi forces focused operations targeting suspected al-Qaida militants in the "Breadbasket" in northeastern Iraq and Hertling said the operations have been a success.
Hertling also credited the resolve of Iraqi citizens in reacting to suspected al-Qaida activities in the area.
