Forces keep up attack on Iraqi insurgent town

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- U.S. and Iraqi forces swept through most of an insurgent stronghold near the Syrian border Tuesday, encountering pockets of fierce resistance, destroying five unexploded car bombs and killing at least 30 guerrilla fighters, the U.S. command reported.
Three U.S. Marines died during the last two days of the operation to clear the town of Obeidi, a military statement said. More than 80 insurgents have been killed, mostly in airstrikes, in the same period, it said.
Separately, three U.S. Army soldiers were killed Tuesday in a roadside bombing near Baghdad, the U.S. command said.
The U.S.-Iraqi attack on Obeidi was the latest stage of an offensive to clear Al-Qaida-led insurgents from the valley near the border with Syria and seal off an infiltration route for foreign fighters sneaking into Iraq.
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