Thanks for the info shield although it is disheartening.
By RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr. Published: June 18, 2006
BAGHDAD, Iraq, June 18 — American forces have intensified their search for two soldiers missing and reportedly held captive by insurgents, widening their pursuit to areas beyond the restive town of Yusifiya, where the missing servicemen were attacked Friday night, and drawing troops from at least three brigade combat teams.
The expanded search effort came as American troops ringed the insurgent stronghold of Ramadi with new checkpoints and outposts over the weekend in an effort to break the grip that insurgents now hold on that city. Ramadi, the capital of Anbar Province, has been the scene of some of the fiercest regular battles between United States troops and insurgent fighters.
Some Sunni Arab leaders have said they fear American forces are preparing to begin an offensive in Ramadi in an effort to wipe out insurgent groups that have taken control of much of the city, similar to the Marines' November 2004 assault on Falluja. More