Two American tanks were attacked by rocket-propelled grenades Sunday.

Two American tanks were attacked by rocket-propelled grenades Sunday.
CAMP BOOM, Iraq (AP) -- A massive sweep that has already netted at least 60 suspects in 20 lightning raids across central Iraq entered its second day today, as U.S. forces tried to capture Saddam Hussein loyalists and curb a wave of attacks on American soldiers.
The raids by the 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse troops began early Sunday.
Planners of the Fourth Infantry Division -- the most high-tech unit in the army -- used an array of electronic tools today to plan out further raids on militant supporters of the deposed regime.
The operation, dubbed Sidewinder, is taking place across an area of central Iraq stretching from the Iranian border to the areas north of Baghdad, and is expected to last for several days, according to military officials in Camp Boom, near Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad.
The region has become "the nexus of paramilitary activity in central Iraq," the military said in a statement.
Lt. Col. Mark Young, commander of the Fourth Infantry Division's 3-67th Armored Battalion, said today the operation is allowing the army to focus on a slew of recent intelligence.
"It causes all units to focus on a consolidated effort all at once," he said. "The effect is like a hammer being slammed against the bad guys."
Attacks
U.S. forces in central Iraq have been plagued by sneak attacks on their positions and patrols. On Sunday night, less than 24 hours after Sidewinder's start, two M-1 tanks patrolling a section of Baqouba rife with hostile fire were attacked by rocket-propelled grenades.
The near-impenetrable tanks were undamaged, and the crews were unhurt, but the patrol failed to find the attackers.
There were no reports of U.S. casualties during "Sidewinder," the military said, nor was there any indication that the operation had netted any of Iraq's most wanted fugitives.
The military said the raids targeted loyalists from Saddam's former Baath Party, as well as "terrorists suspected of perpetrating attacks against U.S. forces and former Iraqi military leaders."
The American forces arrested a man in Khalis, 45 miles north of Baghdad, suspected of recruiting others to launch attacks on U.S. troops. In Dojima, a town where Sunni Muslim residents recently polished the still-standing portrait of Saddam Hussein, police raided the homes of alleged Saddam loyalists they suspected of hiding caches of arms, including rocket-propelled grenades -- the weapon of choice in many recent ambushes.
The military also announced the arrest Saturday of 15 suspects in Mosul, in northern Iraq, confiscating Baath party documents and Republican Guard uniforms, as well as weapons.
Resistance
Insurgents have stepped up their attacks against U.S. troops in recent days, carrying out ambushes against military convoys, shooting soldiers and lobbing grenades.
U.S. officials in Washington have said repeatedly that no centralized Iraqi resistance to American rule remains. But commanders on the ground painted a different picture.
Young called the resistance in the areas northeast of Baghdad "an organized effort." And Capt. John Wrann, also involved in Sidewinder, said: "It's got to be a coordinated thing."
Ordinary Iraqis are growing more and more frustrated with the lack of water and electricity, especially with temperatures soaring as high as 117 degrees. They are also clamoring for improved security in the capital, where nightly blackouts have helped turn the streets over to roaming bandits.
"It is true America is strong, but it will not be good for America if they don't get this situation under control," said Haleem Shaqir, a 65-year-old merchant. "We need stability. We need security."
Other violence
Meanwhile, two American troops were injured and an Iraqi civilian was killed when an explosive device went off alongside a U.S. military convoy on a road leading to Baghdad International Airport, the military said.
In other violence, insurgents on Sunday ambushed a U.S. patrol west of Baghdad using rocket propelled grenades.
One of the grenades struck a Bradley fighting vehicle patrolling near Khaldiyah, some 35 miles west of Baghdad, but didn't cause any significant damage or injuries. U.S. troops returned fire with 25 mm cannon, but apparently failed to inflict any casualties on the attackers, who ran away.
At least 63 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq since major combat was declared over May 1.)
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