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HADITHA, Iraq - U.S. Marines clashed with and killed at least 10 suspected militants here on Wednesday as more than 1,000 American troops raided yet another city in western Iraq, launching a major operation against insurgents and foreign fighters thought to be infiltrating from Syria.

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The offensive, the second on a road to Damascus in less than a month, came as the Iraqi government demanded that Syria block insurgents from crossing the border. Iraq also asked the U.N. Security Council to renew its mandate for the 160,000 troops in the U.S.-led multinational force, saying it cannot fully defend itself alone.

Just before dawn, U.S. Marines, sailors and soldiers encircled this Euphrates River city of 90,000 people, located 140 miles northwest of Baghdad in troubled Anbar province.

Helicopters swept down near palm tree groves to drop off Marines who blocked off one side of Haditha, while other troops on foot and in armored vehicles established checkpoints and moved toward the city center. U.S. warplanes circled overhead.

American troops walked down city streets in neat lines, whispering instructions to each other. Except for dogs baying in the pre-dawn darkness, the city was quiet � until a large explosion shook the neighborhood.