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United States forces launched a big offensive in Iraq yesterday as part of a major new countrywide push against Sunni and Shiite militants.
The military yesterday sent 16,000 US and Iraqi troops to Diyala province to tackle Sunni Arab al Qaeda militants, and on Monday raided Baghdad's Sadr City Shiite slum, killing up to five militants and arresting 13 believed to be involved in bringing armour-piercing bombs from Iran.
