BAGHDAD — Iraq plans a massive crackdown on Sunni insurgents in the
nation's capital.
Officials said the military and security forces would deploy 40,000
Iraqi troops in Baghdad over the next week in an effort to search
entire neighborhoods for Saddam Hussein insurgents and Al Qaida operatives.
They said the Iraqi operation would be unprecedented and begin in Baghdad
and move to other parts of the country.
"We will also impose a stringent blockade around Baghdad, like a
bracelet around an arm, God willing, and God be with us in our crackdown on
the terrorists' infrastructure," Iraqi Defense Minister Sadoun Dulaimi told
a news conference on Thursday. "No one will be able to penetrate this
blockade. You will witness unprecedented, strict security measures."
The effort, dubbed Operation Lightening, was the first by the new
Shi'ite-led government, elected in January 2005. The military operation
could also include at least 10,000 U.S. troops already based in Baghdad.
"These operations will aim to turn the government's role from defensive
to offensive," Iraqi Interior Minister Bayan Jaber said.
Jaber said the first stage of Operation Lightening would divide the
eastern Baghdad district of Russafa into seven sectors. The western Baghdad
district of Kharkh would be divided into 15 sectors.
Officials said Iraqi forces would establish 645 fixed checkpoints and
numerous mobile roadblocks. Officials said all 23 entry points to Baghdad
would be blocked by Iraqi troops.
At that point, troops would conduct an intensive search for insurgents.
Iraq has a total of 165,000 military and police troops.
"We're going to set up a security cordon around Baghdad and it will be
impossible for terrorists to cross," Jaber said.
The operation comes amid the most violent period in Iraq since the war
that toppled the Saddam regime in April 2003. The number of bombings — many
of them suicide car bombs -- in April 2005 was the highest since the
U.S.-led invasion, with more than 620 people killed since April 28.
Officials said they expect a new insurgency offensive over the next few days
amid reports that Al Qaida network leader Abu Mussib Al Zarqawi has been
sidelined by injury.
Dulaimi said Iraqi troops would be drawn from the Defense Ministry and
Interior Ministry. He said each unit would search a neighborhood for
insurgents, car bombs and illegal weapons.
"We shall not leave any place for terrorists or those who shelter them
and incite terrorism in Iraq," Dulaimi said. "We will implement the law with
everything we've got."
