operation phantom phoenix moving forward

U.S. Airstrikes Hit 'Al Qaida Safe Havens' http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-7213421,00.html Thursday January 10, 2008 9:03 AM BAGHDAD (AP) - U.S. bombers and jet fighters unleashed 40,000 pounds of explosives during a 10-minute airstrike Thursday morning, flattening what the military called al-Qaida in Iraq safe havens on the southern outskirts of the capital. A military statement said B-1 bombers and F-16 fighters dropped the explosives on 40 targets in Arab Jabour in 10 strikes. The massive attack was part of Operation Phantom Phoenix, a nationwide campaign launched Tuesday to root out al-Qaida in Iraq fighters. Thirty-eight bombs were dropped within the first 10 minutes, with a total tonnage of 40,000 pounds,'' the statement said. The attack was carried out above approaching troops of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, which has battled insurgents south of the capital for months.