Chasing Shadows

US-Iraqi forces find few rebels in air assault operation

AL-DAWR, Iraq (AFP) - Under the watchful eye of drone spy planes, joint US-Iraqi patrols surrounded and entered hamlets near Samarra on the second day of a major operation to root out insurgents.

Around 50 suspects were detained during the first 24 hours of "Operation Swarmer" which kicked off Thursday morning in Al-Jalam, a large flat area of farmland and desert north of Samarra, but a third of those arrested were later released.

US officials also admitted that of the six weapons caches found, none were substantial.

"The individual caches are not huge," said Major John Callahan of the 101st Airborne Division.

By the time the US army got to Al-Jalam the insurgents have long since scarpered, this is what happens when you rely on firepower alone.

How much did this dog and pony show cost? Its spin all the time with the war whores, Bush must be really having a bad week if he hopes a anticlimactic raid is going to keep people distracted for long.