This is one of the most intense air strikes unleashed by United States warplanes in the war in Iraq. The onslaught lasted for ten minutes as the warplanes dropped 40,000 pounds of explosives on suspected Al-Qaeda safe houses within the Sunni farmlands located south of the city of Baghdad.
The operation was called “Operation Marne Thunderbolt.” This is the assault by the Third Infantry Division against the Al-Qaeda safe havens sound of Baghdad. This is part of the nationwide offensive that began this week.
Hours later after the air strike had taken place United States soldiers set foot in the rough terrains outside of the city. This is one area that they have not gone into for at least a year.
While the area is secured it is not safe. While some 30,000 troops have been pulled out, the others are expected to leave by June according to military officials.
After the air strikes, both US and Iraqi soldiers advanced through the areas that were important Al-Qaeda enclaves. One Iraqi officer said that two houses were discovered that were used to torture kidnap victims.
There have been at least twelve suspected insurgents arrested.