http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3519CAA9-46D7-473E-BA2E-CA49785E5D41.htmMore than 5000 US, British and Iraqi troops have attacked areas south of the Iraqi capital in the latest push to pacify the country before planned elections in January. The operation on Tuesday came as world powers and Middle Eastern states meeting in Egypt threw their weight behind the war-torn country's first free and multi-party elections in decades.
The military said US and Iraqi forces continued rounding up suspected fighters in house-to-house searches and vehicle checkpoints. In the past three weeks, Iraqi troops and US marines have detained nearly 250 suspects, the statement added.
Shaikh Yunus al-Hamdani, a member of the Iraqi Relief Body from Saqlawiya told Aljazeera the relief process was difficult as electricity had been disconnected for 15 days.
"Water supply stations which depend on electricity do not work so water has been cut for 15 days. "Medical aid has not reached us and I confirm that we have not received any aid from the Iraqi government which said it would send relief. People have nothing to protect them from the freezing weather.