US forces have launched a major offensive against resistance fighters in central Iraq. Operation Sidewinder began with more than 20 simultaneous raids involving aircraft, armoured vehicles and infantry in an area north of the capital, Baghdad, along the River Tigris. The US military says at least 60 people have been detained and illegal weapons and military documents have been seized. It is the third such operation in recent weeks and follows a spate of deadly attacks on US forces in Iraq, which the Americans say are being directed by supporters of former President Saddam Hussein's Baath Party.

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