Iraqi security sources said the latest U.S. target was Baldros,
southeast of Baquba. The sources said several Al Qaida safe houses were
identified and bombed.
Many of the Al Qaida casualties were identified as members of a suicide
bombing network. Six of the casualties were found to have shaved their
bodies, consistent with the final preparation for suicide operations.
Officials have identified Diyala as a launching pad for Al Qaida
strikes. They said Al Qaida was using Diyala to return to the provinces of
Baghdad and Anbar.
The U.S. air strikes came amid a resurgence of Al Qaida operations in
the Baghdad area. On Sunday, the U.S. military reported the death of four
American soldiers from an improvised explosive device that exploded in
southern Baghdad. At least 4,000 U.S. soldiers have been killed in Iraq
since the American-led invasion in 2003.
Officials said Al Qaida operatives were impersonating military and
police officers in an attempt to enter secure facilities. The Interior
Ministry has banned stores from selling military or police uniforms.
In Tikrit, U.S. and Iraqi forces captured an alleged associate of an Al
Qaida leader. Three other suspected insurgents were also killed.
