Sources: Baghdad offensive set to begin on a scale 'unlike anything this city has seen'

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S.-Iraqi campaign to stabilize Baghdad will begin soon and the offensive against militants will be on a scale never seen during four years of war, American officers said on Sunday.

Briefing a small group of foreign reporters, three American colonels who are senior advisers to the Iraqi army and police in Baghdad said a command center overseeing the crackdown would be activated on Monday.

"The expectation is the plan will be implemented soon thereafter," Colonel Doug Heckman, senior adviser to the 9th Iraqi Army division, said at a U.S. military base in Baghdad.

"It's going to be an operation unlike anything this city has seen. It's a multiple order magnitude of difference, not just a 30 percent, I mean a couple hundred percent," he added, referring to previous offensives that failed to stem bloodshed.

Read the rest at the Washington Post

Related Link:
Analysis: Iraqi brigades only at half-strength for Baghdad 'push'

Related Link:
Gates: Only 55% of Iraqi troops show for Baghdad push; Says support personnel for 'surge' between 2,800 and 4,200

Related Link:
Report: 90,000 U.S., Iraqi combined force readying for Baghdad 'crackdown'

Related Link:
Source: Baghdad death squad leaders have fled to Iran with Maliki encouragement

Related Link:
Petraeus says U.S. may use notorious Iraqi FPS security forces in Baghdad push

Related Link:
Report: Sadr city militias seek peace deal

Related Link:
Perspective: Kurd soldiers deserting Iraqi Army to avoid battle in Baghdad

Related Link:
Sources: Mahdi Army Expressing Siege Mentality

Related Link:
Kurdish Battalion Moves Toward Baghdad

Related Link:
Iraqi Sources: Baghdad push to last 'at least' 6 months; Sistani, Sadr support plan

Related Link:
Perspective: Mahdi Army lowers its profile, for now

Related Link:
Report: 3 Kurdish brigades ordered into Baghdad

Related Link:
Report: Surge clear and hold envisions 'gated communities'

Related Link:
Odierno: Iraqi forces big part of Baghdad clear and hold; envisions 'retreat to outskirts' in 3-4 months