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Wed 06 Jun 2007US surge in Iraq moves up a gear with fresh offensiveThe US military offensive in Iraq escalated sharply yesterday as 10,000 American troops launched a another offensive against Sunni insurgents and al-Qaeda jihadis in Diyala province, northeast of Baghdad.At least 22 insurgents were reportedly killed in initial clashes as US forces moved into the western suburbs of Baquba, the provincial capital. US commanders claim up to 500 al-Qaeda fighters were holed up there.