CTV.ca | U.S. raid in Iraqi town of Samarra kills dozens: "Samarra is considered one of the top three rebel strongholds in Iraq, along with Fallujah and the Baghdad slum known as Sadr City. Officials have previously said they would recapture cities taken over by insurgents before nationwide elections take place at the end of January. However, it's unclear if the raid in Samarra is part of that campaign."