Baghdad, Nov 5, SPA -- The U.S.-led coalition launched amajor new offensive of about 3,500 American and Iraqitroops near the country's border with Syria on Saturday,aimed at destroying a regional al-Qaida in Iraq network,the U.S. command said. The military also announced that two U.S. Army soldierswere killed by insurgents in other areas of Iraq on Friday, according to a report of The Associated Press. The "Operation Steel Curtain" offensive in the town ofHusaybah in the western province of Anbar will destroy theinsurgents and their "safe houses" and improve securityin the area ahead of Iraq's parliamentary election on Dec.15, the U.S. military said.--SPA1412 Local Time 1112 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/300694