US forces in fresh push to hunt pro-Saddam fighters

US Central Command said it had launched a new mission, Operation Desert Scorpion, to hunt for guerrillas who have mounted several deadly attacks in the restive towns and villages to the north and west of the Iraqi capital.

It said in a statement that the operation was "designed to identify and defeat selected Baath party loyalists, terrorist organizations and criminal elements..."

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It said that at the same time US forces will deliver humanitarian aid.

A US convoy traveling from Baghdad was ambushed 20 km south of Balad Sunday evening. A US truck was left crippled and smoldering, its tires and canopy ablaze. Apache helicopters buzzed overhead hunting for the attackers.

Soldiers at the scene said several casualties had been evacuated. They said the truck was apparently hit by a rocket- propelled grenade.

A US military spokesman said Monday he had no information on the attack.

Around 40 US soldiers have been killed in hostile attacks and ambushes since the start of May, mostly in Baghdad and two nearby areas -- to the west around Ramadi and Falluja, and to the north around Balad, Baquba and Tikrit, Saddam's home town.

Iraqis in the troubled areas say they have no love for Saddam but that anger is mounting toward US soldiers.