In Iraq, 5,000 US, British and Iraqi troops have launched another large offensive to battle the growing resistance movement. After large attacks on Fallujah and Mosul, troops are now focusing on the province of Babil, south of Baghdad. The US has dubbed the new offensive Operation Plymouth Rock. The attack marks one of the largest offensive since the fall of the Baghdad 20 months ago. In Washington, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said the U.S. would send an unspecified number of additional troops to Iraq ahead of the January 30 vote. Military commanders have said 5,000 more troops are needed but others such as Senator John McCain has said as many as 50,000 more troops are needed.