Assault on Samarra

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. and Iraqi forces moved into the Sunni Triangle city of Samarra late Thursday in one of the largest offensives in several months.

Earlier, explosions in Baghdad claimed more than 40 lives, most of them children.

A brigade-size force of U.S. and Iraqi national guard troops had reached the center of Samarra by early Friday morning, according to CNN correspondent Jane Arraf, embedded with a unit of the U.S. 1st Infantry Division.

Supported by tanks and aircraft, troops were going through the city sector by sector, clearing buildings and mosques. Electricity was being cut to some sections.

Gunfire, explosions and rocket-propelled grenades could be heard as Arraf reported from the scene.

Those Iraqis are going to vote for our puppets if we have to kill them.