A joint operation by Iraqi police and National Guards in Baghdad and central Babil province will be launched this week against insurgents operating in a belt of cities south of the capital, police said Sunday. "We and the Baghdad police, with the participation of the National Guards will purge the regions of Haswa, Latifiya, and Mahmoudiya," said police Capt. Hadi Hatif. "We will work on two fronts to carry out this mission." The three towns, which are 30 to 50 kilometers (20-30 miles) south of the capital, have been a major area of insurgent activity. U.S. and Iraqi forces have come under repeated attacks by car bombs, rockets, and small arms fire in the area.
