U.S. Bombs Iraqi Insurgent Hideouts

[Gunny]

By SOLOMON MOORE
Published: January 11, 2008

BAGHDAD — American bombers and fighter aircraft dropped 40,000 pounds of bombs on suspected militant hide-outs, storehouses and defensive positions in the southern outskirts of Baghdad on Thursday, the United States military said.

In one of the largest airstrikes in recent months, two B-1 and four F-16 aircraft dropped 38 bombs within 10 minutes near the Latifiya district south of Baghdad, the military said. The airstrikes were accompanied by a large Iraqi and American ground assault.

The air attack was part of a nationwide joint offensive that includes a continuing sweep in Diyala Province, north of Baghdad, and raids Thursday in Salahuddin Province, northwest of the capital, between Samarra and Ramadi.

The offensive took place as attacks against Iraqi security forces, American soldiers and Sunni Arab militias allied with the United States increased in the last few weeks. A series of suicide bombings, assassinations and car bombings has threatened to reverse the downward trend in violence, especially in Baghdad, where dozens of people have been killed since the new year.

more ... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/w...cbb516c1cf8b6e&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

I guess if the terrorists want to ecalate, we can as well.