US and Iraqi forces have killed 30 insurgents in central Baghdad in a
joint operation yesterday, the state television Al-Iraqiya reported.
The television quotes Iraqi Defense Ministry as saying that 30insurgents were
killed and 35 detained during the day-long gunbattles in Haifa Street.
Haifa Street is located on the west bank of Tigris River and close to the
heavily-fortified Green Zone, which houses the offices of the Iraqi government
and US embassy. It is believed to be a stronghold of Sunni insurgents and
foreign fighters.
Witnesses told Xinhua that explosions and gunfire resonated throughout the
area while US Apache helicopters hovered above the areas.
The US military said in a statement that Iraqi and U.S. forces early
Wednesday began "Operation Tomahawk Strike II on Haifa Street, conducting
targeted raids to disrupt illegal militia activity and help restore Iraq
security force control in the area."
US and Iraqi forces encountered resistance, including hand-held grenades,
small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from high rise buildings in the
area, the statement said.
Seven suspected insurgents have been detained and a weapons cache uncovered
during the operation, it said.
