The U.S. military in Iraq says coalition forces are continuing their latest offensive across the country, detaining more than 30 insurgent suspects in separate raids.
A statement from the military says U.S. Marines and Iraqi troops rounded up 15 suspects in Babil province, south of Baghdad, Wednesday, as the offensive to round up insurgents entered its second week.
On Tuesday, 17 suspects were detained in the northern city of Mosul, where American soldiers are carrying out cordon and search operations, following a series of insurgent attacks.
Meanwhile, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi met with exiled Iraqi tribal leaders in Jordan Tuesday and is due to meet with at least 120 Iraqi exiles next week. Their meetings are seen as part of an effort to encourage Iraqi exiles to participate in elections set for January 30.
