U.S., Iraqi Forces Launch Major Offensive Against Al Qaeda

The U.S. military launched a countrywide offensive Tuesday against Al Qaeda in Iraq’s efforts to regroup and intensify suicide strikes on civilians who have sided with the Americans against the terror group.

But the latest U.S. blitz brings more than just firepower to the field — a determination to speed up work on basic services and other civic projects that commanders believe will win more converts to the American effort.

There has been increasing frustration among American military and political leaders that the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite Muslim, has been hesitant to embrace the so-called “Awakening Council” movement — mainly among Sunnis — that has seen about 70,000 men switch sides and join the Americans against Al Qaeda.

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