WASHINGTON, Aug. 20, 2007 – Operation Phantom Strike, a series of combined coalition-Iraqi “quick-strike” offensives that launched last week continues to pressure extremist elements across Iraq, a top official there said today. Combined forces will conduct quick-strike raids against remaining extremist sanctuaries and staging areas over the coming weeks, Army Maj. Gen. James E. Simmons, deputy commander for support for Multinational Corps Iraq said during a conference call. “(Forces) will carry out precision-targeting operations against extremist leadership and focus missions to counter the extremists' lethal use of (improvised explosive devices) and the (car bombs),” Simmons said. “We will continue to...