| Iraq and the United States have launched a counter-insurgency offensive meant to prevent Saddam Hussein loyalists from torpedoing the Jan. 30 elections. The mission, termed Operation Checkmate, began on Jan. 19 and sought to rapidly discover and raid insurgency strongholds in the Sunni Triangle. The operation has combined the U.S. Marines and Iraqi military and police forces. Officials said Operation Checkmate would also test the effectiveness of Iraq's new special weapons and training [SWAT] teams. The teams have not completed training for full deployment. The focus of Operation Checkmate would take place in the provinces of Baghdad and Babil. A major concern of coalition commanders was the area south of Baghdad termed the "Triangle of Death." |