Скачать или смотреть 50,000 Iraqi police, soldiers in new offensive in restive province

(30 Jul 2008) SHOTLIST
AP Television
Baghdad - July 30, 2008
1. Wide of new conference held by Major General Mohammed al-Askari, Spokesman for Ministry of Defence, and Brigadier General David Perkins, Spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Brigadier General David Perkins, Spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq:
"Iraqi and coalition forces are undeterred our mission to pursue terrorists, criminals and special groups. Our joint security operations in Basra, Baghdad, Mosul, Amara and now in Diyala, they make progress in establishing security under the rule of law."
Agency Pool
Baqouba, northeast of Baghdad - July 29, 2008
3. Two Iraqi soldiers holding their rifles and manning checkpoint
4. Arabic graffiti written on concrete wall reading "Our mission is to impose law."
5. Various of Iraqi troops manning military checkpoints
6. Iraqi troops standing next to their military vehicle under a tree shadow
7. Various of military vehicles in street
8. Close up of writing on a military vehicle reading in Arabic "Rapid deployment force."
9. Wide of Iraqi flag in middle of road
STORYLINE:
Senior provincial and military officials say nearly 50-thousand Iraqi police and soldiers, backed up by US-led coalition troops, are taking part in a new military offensive northeast of Baghdad.
"Iraqi and coalition forces are undeterred our mission to pursue terrorists, criminals and special groups. Our joint security operations in Basra, Baghdad, Mosul, Amara and now in Diyala, they make progress in establishing security under the rule of law," spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq Brigadier General David Perkins told a news conference on Wednesday.
Officials said the operation began on Tuesday and is aimed at clearing al-Qaida in Iraq militants from what's considered the last major insurgent stronghold near the capital.
The operation has been dubbed "Omens of Prosperity." It is the latest in a series of efforts to control the largely rural area.
But US and Iraqi commanders have said they're more optimistic this one can work because more troops will be involved and Iraqi security forces are better prepared.
New checkpoints have been erected across the province and authorities have ordered a ban on unofficial traffic as search operations got under way in the provincial capital of Baqouba and surrounding areas.
The head of the provincial council in Diyala said on Wednesday that operations are currently focused on the regional capital of Diyala but will be extended to areas near the Iranian border.
Ibrahim Bajilan said he believes the new crackdown will take about two weeks "and then law will be imposed in all Diyala."
The rural province has been one of the hardest to control despite numerous military operations.

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