Five US soldiers killed

American forces on Wednesday continued in their biggest operation this year in western Iraq, seeking to retake three Euphrates River towns from al-Qaeda fighters. At least five U.S. service members have been killed in the fighting.

Operation River Gate - launched at the start of the holy month of Ramadan was the second American offensive in a week in Anbar province, near the Syrian border. Al-Qaeda in Iraq called for intensified attacks on U.S. and Iraqi forces during the holy month.

Blasts from U.S. warplanes and helicopters lit up the sky during the fighting. American warplanes struck bridges to prevent al-Qaeda in Iraq fighters from escaping the towns.

AB