Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari arrived in the northern town of Tal Afar on Monday for a surprise visit to see at first hand Iraqi and U.S. operations to rid it of suspected insurgents, his office said. "I can confirm that Prime Minister Jaafari is paying a visit to Tal Afar," a spokeswoman in his office was quoted as saying by Reuters. Iraqi and U.S. troops launched an assault early on Saturday against an estimated 350-500 insurgents from the town near the Syrian border. They have said they have killed 141 terrorists and captured 211 suspects there since Aug. 26. Iraqi militant group "the Islamic Army" in Iraq has offered up to $100,000 for killing Jaafari and top officials for launching the offensive, according to an Internet statement posted on Monday. On Sunday, Iraq closed its border with Syria.
