Lightning Hammer

Another U.S. Military Operation, More Unrest
Inter Press Service
By Ali al-Fadhily*

BAGHDAD, Aug 22 (IPS) - New U.S. military operations across Iraq appear to be worsening the situation.

On Aug. 13 about 16,000 U.S. and Iraqi troops began a massive new military operation north of Baghdad. According to the U.S. military, the goal of the operation, named Lightning Hammer, is to "target insurgents who have fled a crackdown in the restive city of Baquba."

The operation is part of a larger military offensive, Operation Phantom Strike, whose goal is "to disrupt al-Qaeda in Iraq and Shia extremist operations in Iraq."

Both operations have included extensive use of air strikes. Many residents speak with bitterness about the operations and the language used to describe tem.