U.S. and Iraqi security forces are pushing forward on two fronts against al Qaeda in Iraq and the Shia terror groups. In the regions north and east of Baqubah in Diyala province, Operation Lightning Hammer is in its third day. Nationwide, U.S. and Iraqi security forces continue intelligence-driven operations against rogue elements of the Mahdi Army, the Iranian-backed Special Groups cells, and al Qaeda. Meanwhile, al Qaeda in Iraq pulled off one of the biggest attacks in the war after four suicide bombers murdered upwards of 200 civilians in a small village in northwestern Iraq. Lightning Hammer Operation Lightning Hammer, the follow-on operation to Arrowhead Ripper, has been underway since August 13. The operation is targeting specific al Qaeda strongholds in the Diyala River Valley north and east of Baghdad. About 10,000 U.S. troops, including “special operational elements from the Army, Marines and Air Force,” and 6,000 Iraqi security forces are involved in the operation. Over 200 al Qaeda fighters are estimated to be in the target areas. The offensive began with an artillery barrage and air strikes, followed by multiple air assaults against “carefully selected targets.” Les Neuhaus, who is embedded with U.S. forces in Diyala, reports on Lightning Hammer: