U.S. and Iraqi Troops Launch Offensive in Abu Ghraib District

The Associated Press reports that U.S. and Iraqi forces launched a major offensive against insurgents in Baghdad's western Abu Ghraib district on Sunday:

In Baghdad, four battalions of Iraqi troops and three battalions of police backed by U.S. forces cordoned off areas of western Baghdad and searched "suspected terrorist locations," a military statement said.

The offensive, called "Operation Squeeze Play" was launched to minimize insurgent activity in western Baghdad, the military said. It focused on areas from which militants have launched attacks, particularly against the U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison.