July 3, 2009 Biden visits Iraq; troops make Afghan push Play video

(NECN/ABC) - Just days after U.S. combat troops pulled out of cities across Iraq, Vice President Joe Biden made an unexpected trip to the country to see where things stand-

"Our objective here is to help the Iraqis reach political accommodations they have to reach, stable political system," Biden said.

The vice president is meeting with U.S. and Iraqi leaders to assist in the transition. The Obama administration wants to remove all combat troops from Iraq by next August.

But in southern Afghanistan, the U.S. Military pushed deeper into Taliban strongholds, and fighting has erupted in other regions of the country.

One Marine was killed and several others were wounded in combat in the Helmand province -- an area notorious for its opium trade.

This is the second day of one of the biggest military operations since the war began eight years ago.

The goal of the offensive is to clear out Taliban fighters and gain the trust and cooperation of local leaders. So far, troops have met with little resistance in local villages.

Around 4,000 Marines are operating in the Helmand province.

This will be the seventh straight Fourth of July holiday U.S. troops spend in combat in Afghanistan.

ABC's Christianne Klein reports.