US Iron Fist against al Qaeda militants

QAIM - Around 1000 United States troops, backed by helicopter gunships, attacked towns in the far west of Iraq, in the latest push to track down al Qaeda militants they believe are hiding near the Syrian border.

The offensive comes two weeks before a referendum on a new constitution, when US commanders expect a surge in violence across the country similar to that experienced in the first post-Saddam Hussein elections in January.

In a reminder of Iraq's instability, the brother of Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Jabor was kidnapped in Baghdad, Interior Ministry and police sources said.

The sources said four armed men abducted Jabbar Solagh near the Sadr City district in the east of the capital.

A regiment of Marines, soldiers and sailors launched Operation Iron Fist against what the US military called a "known terrorist sanctuary" in the town of Sedea, near Qaim, 12km from Syria.

It is at least the third major offensive US forces have conducted in the area in the past four months. Insurgents have returned to reoccupy the towns and resume guerrilla activities after previous operations. A doctor in the main hospital in Qaim, Amir al-Obedi, said 10 people had been killed and 15 wounded since fighting began.

- REUTERS