Do these sentences have the same meaning?
It said the operation , which began on Monday , was part of " the continued effort to eradicate Baath Party loyalists , paramilitary groups and other subversive elements . "
A statement from the allied command said that the raid was part of " the continued effort to eradicate Baath Party loyalists , paramilitary groups and other subversive elements . "

Options: a). no. b). yes.
b).