BAGHDAD — Sunni and Shi'ite militias continue to battle in the
Iraqi capital.
Officials said Sunni and Shi'ite fighters have clashed in northern and
eastern Baghdad. Several people were injured and damage was caused to stores
and cars in Sunday's battles, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The militias have moved into a stage of open confrontation," an
official said.
The militia battles began on June 23 between the Iranian-sponsored Mahdi
Army and Sunni insurgents along Haifa Street, a stronghold of Saddam Hussein
loyalists. Iraqi and U.S. forces rushed to the scene and were attacked as
well.
On late June 24, Sunni-Shi'ite clashes were reported in the
neighborhoods of Al Zameyah, Fadhil, Jameh and Mutham, police sources said.
They said several people were injured and three houses were torched.
Officials said militias have raised their profile amid a plan by Prime
Minister Nuri Al Maliki to crack down on unauthorized fighting units. Al
Maliki has offered some insurgents to join government security forces.
Sunni insurgents have also escalated bombing strikes on U.S. military
forces around the Baghdad area. On Sunday, officials reported the killing of
three American soldiers by improvised explosive devices while on patrol in
Iraq
over the weekend.
