BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki, under heavy U.S.
pressure, has authorized a major operation against a Shi'ite stronghold.
After weeks of hesitation, Al Maliki approved a joint U.S.-Iraqi
military operation in Baghdad's Sadr City. Sadr City has been regarded as
the stronghold of the Iranian-sponsored Mahdi Army and the center of the
Shi'ite insurgency.
"We will strike hard against those who break the law and endanger state
security," Al Maliki said. "There is no place for militias alongside the
state."
On Wednesday, U.S. and Iraqi troops raided a stronghold of the Mahdi
Army in Sadr City in which at least 10 insurgents were killed and 18
injured, Middle East Newsline reported. Officials said the two sides fought a fierce battle in an operation
approved by Al Maliki.
The operation in Sadr City came a day after the United States announced
plans to impose benchmarks for Iraqi political and security reform.
Officials said Al Maliki has already received a list of tasks for the rest
of 2006.
The two-hour gun battle was meant to capture the leader of a Shi'ite
death squad in Sadr City. Later, the military said the suspect, who
allegedly directed executions in eastern Baghdad, was captured.
"During the raid, Iraqi army forces came under fire and had to defend
themselves," a U.S. military statement said. "They requested support from
coalition aircraft which used precision gunfire only to eliminate the enemy
threat."
The military said the force also captured three people suspected of
helping abduct a U.S. soldier. Officials said the military received
intelligence that those involved in the kidnapping were located in a Sadr
City mosque.
Despite his approval, Al Maliki condemned the killing in Sadr City. The
prime minister, a Shi'ite, said he would not allow such operations to
continue.
"We will demand clarification on what happened in Sadr City," Al Maliki
said. "This is an issue to be reviewed with the multinational forces so that
it will not occur again."
