US, Iraq begin operations against Al Qaeda

From Alsumaria.

More than 1,000 US and Iraqi Forces have begun operations against Al Qaeda in Mosul paving the way for what Iraqi officials say will be a decisive strike, the US military said. Extra Iraqi troops, backed by helicopters and tanks, have been sent to Mosul in order to fight insurgents there. “As of right now there are 1,000 plus Iraqi Security Forces and Coalition Forces conducting the operation,” said Maj. Gary Dangerfield, a spokesman for US Forces. For his part, US Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling, commander of troops in northern Iraq, said Al Qaeda fighters were being rooted out of northern cities into more remote areas. Hertling noted in a video link from the US Defense Department headquarters in Iraq that some fighters were leaving with plans to return. Therefore, he added, borders are being monitored closely. “Some of them we have seen specifically leaving to Syria, some of them are going back to Saudi Arabia and Qatar,” he said.

The interesting part of this article notes that Al Qaeda insurgetns are fleeing Mosul and attempting to get into Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar with plans to return.